Thought of the Day - September 16 2021 - BC Prepares for Child Vaccinations

As you know there has been ongoing discussion since the beginning of the year about the viability of COVID-19 vaccination for minors. In May, Canada approved Pfizer and in August Moderna mRNA vaccines for minors aged 12-18.

I must admit I was a little surprised that most provinces also decided parental consent was not required.

Last week BC's CDC updated a single page in their Communicable Disease Control Manual. This single page is in the Immunization Manual Section, Appendix A - Informed Consent. Removed was the requirement for parental consent for those under 12 years of age. This page now reads:

c) Mature Minors

The Infants Act authorizes a health care provider to provide health care to a minor, an individual 18 years or age or younger, based on consent provided by the minor. This requires that the health care provider is of the opinion that the minor understands the nature and consequences and the reasonably foreseeable benefits and risks of the proposed health care and the health care is in the best interests of the minor. There is no legal age of consent for health care in BC; instead, a minor’s ability to consent depends upon the minor’s level of maturity. Mature minor authority takes precedence over parental authority. Mature minors have the authority to give, refuse, or revoke consent for their own immunization as long as the health care provider has assessed the minor’s understanding of the details of the immunization, including risk and benefits, and has made reasonable efforts to determine and has concluded that the immunization is in the minor’s best interest.

School Based Immunization Programs

In general, parental consent is sought for students 12 years of age and younger, although there may be extenuating circumstances in which a child of this age may provide their own consent.

Immunization consent forms and accompanying information are to be sent home with the student, and parents/guardians are encouraged to review the information with their child and involve them in the decision. However, if the student presents without parent/guardian consent, or indicates they wish to make a decision different from that of the parent, it is the immunization provider’s professional responsibility to inform them about a mature minor’s right to provide or refuse consent on their own behalf. The immunizer should then assess the capability of the minor to provide consent and proceed with the consent process. If the student presents with a consent form that they have signed themselves, the immunizer still has a responsibility to assess the capability of the student to provide consent and confirm the student’s understanding of the immunization.

Well there you have it. BC is preparing for vaccination of kids; I am guessing that it will apply to all school-aged kids. As noted, there is no longer any minimum age for Mature Minors, thus parental consent for immunization will not be required for these newly promoted mature minors under the age of 12.

Cheers

Cliff