A proposed California bill would allow children ages 12 and above to be vaccinated without parental consent.
California Democratic State Sen. Scott Wiener introduced the bill late Thursday in Sacramento.
“Giving young people the autonomy to receive life-saving vaccines, regardless of their parents’ beliefs or work schedules, is essential for their physical and mental health,” Wiener said, according to an Associated Press report.
“It’s unconscionable for teens to be blocked from the vaccine because a parent either refuses or cannot take their child to a vaccination site,” he added.
Wiener, whose district includes San Francisco and parts of San Mateo County, also announced the new legislation’s introduction on Twitter Friday.
“I introduced new legislation (#SB866) to lower the vaccine age of consent from 18 to 12. Unvaccinated teens are at risk, put others at risk & make schools less safe. They often can’t work, participate in sports, or go to friends’ homes. Let’s let teens protect their health,” he wrote.
🧵 I introduced new legislation (#SB866) to lower the vaccine age of consent from 18 to 12.
Unvaccinated teens are at risk, put others at risk & make schools less safe. They often can’t work, participate in sports, or go to friends’ homes.
Let’s let teens protect their health.
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) January 21, 2022
Wiener also noted that state law already allows 12-17 years olds to “access various forms of healthcare without parental consent, eg: HPV & hep B vaccines, abortion care, birth control, mental healthcare, domestic violence-related care.”
“[Nearly 1 million] 12-17 year olds in CA aren’t vaccinated for COVID. Many want to get vaccinated but parents won’t let them or aren’t making the time to take them. Teens shouldn’t have to rely on parents’ views & availability to protect themselves from a deadly virus,” Wiener said in another post.
“SB 866 builds on this existing law to expand vaccine access,” he added. “SB 866 allows 12-17 year olds to consent to any vaccine approved or granted emergency use authorization by the FDA & recommended by the CDC. As with anyone else, they’ll have to be clinically eligible for a particular vaccine.”
Wiener argued that teenagers should not have to “scheme” with parents to get a vaccine, referring to a Pennsylvania case.
“Teens shouldn’t have to plot, scheme or fight with their parents to get a vaccine. They should simply be able to walk in & get vaccinated like anyone else,” he wrote.
Teens shouldn’t have to plot, scheme or fight with their parents to get a vaccine. They should simply be able to walk in & get vaccinated like anyone else. https://t.co/BzwMThJmZX
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) January 21, 2022
Wiener further noted the co-authors of the state bill, along with expressing thanks to the bill’s sponsoring organizations.
Thank you to SB 866’s sponsoring organizations — @protectustwt, @teensforvaxx & Generation UP — for partnering on the bill.
And thank you to our co-authors @DrPanMD @BuffyWicks @JoshNewmanCA @Evan_Low @asmakilahweber @laurafriedman43 @CeciliaAD4 @PhilTing
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) January 21, 2022
“SB 866 is expected to have its first committee hearing by March or April,” Politico reported.
“Additional legislation is expected from other members of the vaccine caucus. This could include consumer mandates and requirements for workplace safety, as well as measures to eliminate the personal belief exemption at schools for Covid vaccinations,” the report added.
The Daily Wire previously reported on California’s plans to require vaccination for all eligible students:
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on October 1 that his state would be the first to require eligible students in private and public schools to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to be able to go to school in person. The mandate would go into effect once the vaccines have been approved fully, not merely granted emergency use authorization.
According to KFI News in Los Angeles, “The governor is directing the California Department of Public Health to add the COVID vaccine to other vaccinations required for in-person learning.”
Several school districts have pushed back on the statewide vaccine mandate for students.