Re: Parent's right to refuse vaccine for child

Big Les Wade wrote:
Mr Someone <me@xxxxxxxxxxx> posted
A friend has received a consent form for the HPV vaccine for her
child. The accompanying letter states that the legal decision
whether to have the vaccination is the child's rather than the
parent's. I was surprised at this as I thought it was the parent's
decision
whilst the child is under 18.

There is a legal concept called "Gillick competence" under which
children (i.e. people under 18) can decide certain health-related
matters for themselves if judged sufficiently mature. It was invented
to deal with the prescription of oral contraceptives, and certainly
applies here. If the girl wants the vaccine, she will almost
certainly be able to get it.


In this case the child doesn't want the vaccine any more than the
mother but the school is being very aggressive about it.

Can anyone clarify the position?

The parent and child have every right to refuse the vaccination, if
that's what they want. If the school staff are "aggressive", they can
be firmly told to *** right off.

A masterful summary.

I'd only add that because there's a supposed link between HPV immunisation &
sexual activity, the girl may be conflicted by various factors of
embarrassment etc. Quite possible that she'll quietly arrange to have it
w/o her parents knowing, if that's what she really wants. Assuming she's
Gillick competent, that's her right.



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