Jacobson vs Massachusetts:

Case facts:

• Arrose in Cambridge, MA, state law required all residents to receive smallpox vaccination or pay a $5 fine.
• Law was passed as a public health measure to reduce the outbreak
• Jacobson Refused to get vaccinated
• MA defended law as necessary public health measure to help community

Procedural History:

• Trial Court (MA lower court)
• MA Supreme Judicial Court
• U.S. Supreme court

Issues in question:

• Did MA law violate Jacobson’s rights under 14th amendment due process clause?
• Does the state have constitutional authority to enforce vaccination to protect the public health?
• Is the $5 fine imposed on Jacobson lawful for refusing vaccination?

Holdings in my words:

• The Supreme Court held Massachusetts had the constitutional authority to require mandatory smallpox vaccinations as a public health measure. The Court ruled that individual freedoms under the 14th Amendment are restricted when necessary to protect public safety and welfare. Since smallpox was a serious threat, the state’s use of its power to enforce vaccinations was justified. 

Court’s Rationale for each holding:

• States Have the Authority to Enforce Mandatory Vaccinations 
• The Massachusetts Law Did Not Violate the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause
• Individual Rights are able to be Limited for the Protection of Public Health
• The $5 Fine is a Reasonable Penalty for Refusing the Vaccination

Explanation of final deposition:

• Jacobson’s conviction and $5 fine were upheld, as he did violate a lawful public health regulation.
• The Massachusetts law did remain in effect, allowing the state of massachusetts to enforce mandatory vaccinations during public health crises.

Other opinions:

• Set up a precedent for the future cases similar to this. Such as an individuals liberties being restricted when necessary to the public health
• Vaccination laws in this instance should be enforced to keep the public healthy and avoid outbreaks
• This is similar to the covid outbreak but there was no penalty for not getting the covid vaccination however there were people terminated for not getting the vaccination