Children aged 5-15 are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19.
Children under the age of 12 require written parental consent to receive the Pfizer vaccination. Children between the ages of 12-15 require written parental consent to receive the Pfizer vaccine at school. A child seeking to receive the Pfizer vaccine from a community based vaccination provider can be vaccinated without parental consent, if they have discussed the vaccine with a health professional and the health professional deems the child has a good understanding of issues around vaccination.
Under the Care of Children Act 2004 the guardians of the child are responsible for determining important matters for the child, including medical treatment. Medical treatment includes vaccinations.
Usually the parents of the child are joint guardians of the child.
But what happens when the guardians are unable to agree on whether or not their child should be vaccinated?
The answer lies in an application by one parent to the family court for an Order to settle a dispute between guardians under the Care of Children Act 2004.
We are able to assist in preparing this application and throughout the court process. If during the proceedings, the parties are still unable to agree, the end result will be a judge making a decision and issuing an order stating whether or not the child is to be vaccinated.
Our advice to you is to try to work an agreement out among yourselves as the child’s guardians, so the judge doesn’t have to decide for you.