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🇺🇸💉@COVID19Up: A bill that would allow kids ages 12 and older to receive COVID-19 vaccines in California without parental consent was advanced by state lawmakers on Thursday (May 5).
Senate Bill 866 by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would allow California teens to receive any vaccine that is approved by the FDA and meet recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without the consent of a parent or guardian.
Under existing law, minors ages 12-17 cannot be vaccinated without parental consent unless the vaccine is to prevent a sexually transmitted disease. Under this California plan, sixth-graders would be able to get almost any vaccine they want.
Wiener told lawmakers that this bill “is not only about the COVID vaccine,” but would apply to a range of shots.
“Empowering young people with the autonomy to receive life saving vaccines, regardless of their parents’ beliefs or work schedules, is essential to keeping students in school and for their physical and mental health,” Wiener said.
