The state of MA’s new vaccination law

[Michael16]

At dinner tonight, my 15 year old niece told us that the state of Massachusetts just passed a law that states a 13 year old can get a vaccination without parental consent.

I was shocked. It’s my opinion, and I stated this to my family; that for good or bad, a child is under parental authority and shouldn’t have the right to make a major medical decision as a teenager is still a child.

I think this is an attack on the family and that this law is unjust. Don’t get me wrong. I think that vaccinating one’s children is an undeniable good and should be done. But, to erode family authority sets a dangerous precedent in letting a child make a major medical decision despite their parents’ opposition.

What do you all think and what’s the Church’s position?

 

[Irishmom2]

I would hardly call choosing to get a vaccination a major medical decision. If a 13 year old has the awareness to know that their parents were negligent in getting them their childhood vaccinations, you don’t think they should be allowed to protect themself from measles, for example?

 

[Michael16]

I see your point there. But wouldn’t you think that such a step is a slippery slope?

 

[Cruciferi]

13 year old can get a vaccination without parental consent.

But wouldn’t you think that such a step is a slippery slope?

It’s a personal choice and not government mandated. I don’t see a slippery slope.

I would hardly call choosing to get a vaccination a major medical decision.

I’m getting my boosters at Walgreens

 

[Mtatum1958]

At thirteen, I think an adolescent in conjunction with a doctor or health care personnel can make an informed decision on receiving a vaccination. A parent’s privileged position in making substituted decisions on behalf of their children must be made to promote or advance what is in the child’s best interests in the specific context of the decision in question. As far as a church position, I know of none specific to this. However, the church accepts a childs’s age Of reason for receiving the Sacraments (understanding and accepting responsibility) younger than thirteen.

 

[angel12]

What do you all think and what’s the Church’s position?

I don’t know that the Church has a position. What I think is that vaccinations should be mandatory, with the exception of those who have verified medical conditions that make it dangerous.

 

[Joe_5859]

What do you all think and what’s the Church’s position?

I don’t know that the Church has explicitly addressed this particular situation.

I do share your unease, though. I’m all for vaccinations and have had my kids receive them, though I do have a number of friends who have chosen not to vaccinate their children. And, while I disagree with their choice and their reasons for it, having the government circumvent parental authority makes me nervous. It’s not a precedence that I’m comfortable with.

In this case, the kids make the decision themselves, so it’s not the same as if the government was mandating vaccinations. But still. I can imagine there are going to be doctors than will definitely push for the young people to be vaccinated. And I can understand why as I largely agree with them. I’m just imagining a 13 year old kid in the doctor’s office with the doctor telling them they really should get vaccinated while they have heard their parents tell them they absolutely shouldn’t. My daughter and nieces are in this age range. I think they would be pretty confused by that.

 

[JulianN]

I think there should be stiff penalties for parents who do not vaccinate children unless there is a medical reason why the children cannot be vaccinated, such as comprised immune systems.

 

[F_Marturana]

Years ago children would be lined up at school and get vaccinated.

 

[JulianN]

Yep – first polio vaccine I had was on a sugar cube in the hallway of my Catholic school. My parents talked about what an amazing gift that vaccine was.

 

[TheLittleLady]

what’s the Church’s position?

The Church has spoken on vaccinations. Ancillary things, for instance state regulations about who/when/etc are not matters of faith or morals, so, I’d not look for a big statement on this alleged law.

Also, I cannot find any new law doing a quick google search. Anyone else found it?

 

[JulianN]

No. I did find this PDF on juvenile rights: https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/schools/law_sites/jrap/pdf/jrap_medical_consent.pdf

It does make mention that minors may receive treatment without parental consent if the doctor believes the minor is fully informed and able to consent, and that the treatment is in the minor’s best interest. However, I don’t know how that has played out in any court challenges.