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The 11-member Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill on Thursday with a 7-0 vote, with two members from each political party opting not to vote. The bill will now advance to the full Senate.
Current California law states that minors 12 to 17 cannot receive any vaccinations without permission from a parent of guardian unless the vaccine is for a sexually transmitted disease.
“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,” Sen. Scott Wiener, who introduced the legislation,saidof the bill.
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A child getting a COVID-19 vaccine dose.Getty
“Teens should be able to protect their own health with vaccines – whether against COVID, flu, measles or polio – even if their parents refuse or can’t take them to get the shot,” Wiener added onTwitterfollowing Thursday’s decision. “Our legislation to allow teens to get vaccinated on their own just passed a key committee.”
Ani Chaglasian, an advocate with Teens for Vaccines, testified in support of the proposal, according to theAssociated Press. She detailed having several missed opportunities “because I did not have the authority to vaccinate myself,” adding, “We know vaccines save lives.”
Sabrina Sandoval, a school psychologist, argued that children at that age “simply do not have fully developed decision-making skills needed to weigh the risks and benefits and make a truly informed decision,” per AP.
“Kids are going to be targeted and marketed to to get the vaccines,” Dawn Richardson, director of advocacy for the National Vaccine Information Center, added, the outlet reports.
source: people.com
