The California state Senate could vote as early as this Thursday May 12, on SB866, which, if passed, would allow young people aged 12 or older to consent to any FDA-approved vaccine, without parental consent or knowledge.

Family Taken Out of the Equation

Ironically, SB866 would add to the state’s Family Code, by removing a minor’s family, i.e., parents or caregivers, ability to have any input on critical medical decisions. This bill both attacks the sacred nature of parent-child relationships and also exposes minors to the potential dangers of vaccines, especially the novel COVID-19 vaccines. California Health Coalition Advocacy has been a leader in opposing this bill, and they offer some key insights as to why it is a danger to California youth. They point out that teenagers lack the maturity to make important medical choices and are also more susceptible to coercion than folks 18 and older.

No Age-Appropriate Information, No Opportunity for Parents to Monitor for Adverse Reactions

SB866 does nothing to ensure that age-appropriate vaccine information will be provided about the risks v. benefits of any vaccination. And another key flaw in this law is that if a parent does not know that their minor child has been vaccinated, they will be unable to watch for side effects or adverse reactions to a given vaccine. Also, current federal law holds that a parent is to be given a Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) before their child gets a vaccine, yet there is no rule mandating that a minor themselves would get a VIS!

Youth Vulnerable to Undue Influence 

CHCA points out that duress or undue influence is a huge issue with youth. Folks this young are susceptible to both peer pressure and rewards, such as lottery tickets or free food. And a key fact is that youth may choose vaccination so they can participate in programs such as sports or theater, rather than out of any rational medical necessity. And with California awash in pro-vaccine billboards and other communications aimed at youth, decisions may be made based on propaganda rather than facts. Public schools in the state are promoting the COVID-19 vaccines, for example, as “safe and effective” when there is daily evidence which casts doubt on this claim.  

Parents Have the Strongest Interest in Youth Health

Other key problems with this bill include the fact that 12+ year old youth may not even know their full medical history, nor the risks vaccines may pose to them individually. And many students have special needs and mental functioning issues, which the bill does not address in any way. Parents are in the best position to make health decisions based on a youth’s medical history, as this requires weighing complex medical risks and benefits. Also, parents have the greatest vested interest in the health of their children.

Take action now to stop this assault on young people’s health and the rights of parents and guardians!