California
As a minor in California, can you consent to vaccinations?
The actual law:
(a) A minor who is 12 years of age or older and who may have come into contact with an infectious, contagious, or communicable disease may consent to medical care related to the diagnosis or treatment of the disease, if the disease or condition is one that is required by law or regulation adopted pursuant to law to be reported to the local health officer, or is a related sexually transmitted disease, as may be determined by the State Public Health Officer.
(b) A minor who is 12 years of age or older may consent to medical care related to the prevention of a sexually transmitted disease.
(c) The minor’s parents or guardian are not liable for payment for medical care provided pursuant to this section.
Cal. Fam. Code § 6926
What this means:
In California, minors who are 12 years old or older do not need their parent’s consent to receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) or Hepatitis B vaccines. They still must have parental consent to receive all other vaccinations.
Note: Minors can receive some health care services without parental consent in Title X-funded clinics. Call a nearby clinic to see if they will administer vaccinations without parental consent or your state health department for more information.
Find clinics near you below.
How does this apply to Covid-19 vaccinations?
In California, minors cannot receive a Covid-19 vaccine without parental consent statewide, however, there are some exceptions.
In San Francisco County, minors ages 12 years old or older can self-consent as long as the healthcare provider administering the dose reasonably attempts to notify their guardian and allow them the opportunity to object.
Note: At this time, minors must be 12 years of age or older to get vaccinated against Covid-19 in the U.S. and are only approved to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Title-X Clinics
Minors can receive some health care services without parental consent in Title X-funded clinics. Call a nearby clinic to see if they will administer vaccinations without parental consent or your state health department for more information.