CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) — A Louisiana mother plans to sue her son’s high school after he was vaccinated by a mobile clinic at a school vaccination event without parental consent. The CDC recommends everyone 12 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Should minors, in places where it’s legal to do so, get the vaccine without parental consent? How should teens who want to get vaccinated talk to parents who don’t want them to get the jab?
In most cases it’s a moot point. Minors in most states are required to get a parent’s consent for vaccination.
One pro-vaccine group founded by a teenager encourages teens to try and talk with parents and not to go around them. Arin Parsa, founder of Teens for Vaccines, says teens should advocate for inoculation and get support if needed.
“Teens should try to convince their parents to get the vaccine. Use other adults like doctors, teachers, family and friends to bridge conversations, and above all don’t give up,” Parsa said.
Parsa says there are workarounds for teens who want vaccination but one parent refuses to consent.
“In the U.S. we have a patchwork of minor consent laws so the answer isn’t exactly straightforward. In most states where parental consent is required, one signature is enough to get the vaccine,” Parsa said. “However, if the parents are divorced or separated the parents may take legal action against the other parent for letting the child get the vaccine.”
Even though one signature is enough for the shot, Parsa says family dynamics can impact the decision. He encouraged teens to have a heart-to-heart with their guardians before deciding to get vaccinated.