Connecticut State Representative Kevin Ryan (D) has recommended a bill that would allow children aged 12 and older to be vaccinated without parental consent.
The text of the bill reads that the act would allow “children twelve years of age and older to receive a vaccination without the consent of a parent or guardian.”
“Minors under the age of 18 cannot be vaccinated by a healthcare provider without parental consent,” according to a state government portal, but Ryan’s proposal would take away the authority of parents to make this decision.
Representative Vinnie Candelora (R), the Connecticut House Minority Leader, has expressed his concern about the proposal, calling it “very disturbing.”
“It’s a road that Connecticut keeps trying to push, the Democrats keep pushing this issue and I think it’s really important to have parents involved in their child’s lives so I find the proposal very disturbing,” Candelora said.
State Representative Holly Cheeseman (R) has also spoken out against the proposal, pointing out the potential for a child to experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine without the knowledge of their parents.
“Knowing my children knowing my grandchildren – to enable them to do that without parental consent – suppose your child has an adverse reaction and you have no idea that this has happened to them,” Rep. Cheeseman said.
Mother Nicole Malley also weighed in, saying, “I don’t think that 12-year-olds do have that mental capacity to be making their own decisions.”
Norwich resident Shawn Whipple is for the proposal and said she’s seen teens who have wanted to be vaccinated but aren’t able to.
“They need to respect the child’s opinion in what they feel is best for their bodies,” Whipple said.
You can read the bill here:
