A bill that would allow children age 12 and up to be vaccinated without their parents’ consent, including against COVID-19, passed in the California Senate on Thursday (May 12).
Senate Bill 866, authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), passed the Senate by a 21-7 vote. It now heads to the state Assembly for policy committee hearings. If it becomes law, California would allow the youngest age group of any state to be vaccinated without parental permission.
The senate just passed SB 866, a bill that allows children as young as 12 to get vaccinations without their parents consent or knowledge. pic.twitter.com/keoBUBuPbb
— Senator Melissa Melendez (@senatormelendez) May 12, 2022
“Teens should be able to protect themselves from deadly viruses, with or without parental approval,” said Wiener.
JUST IN: California lawmakers in the state senate in a very tight vote pass bill allowing teens to get vaccinated without parental consent (SB 866). Now heads to the Assembly.
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) May 12, 2022
Multiple Democrats opted out of voting. pic.twitter.com/2om6oZkOkB
“So many teens aren’t getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and other deadly viruses because their parents are victims of anti-vaccine misinformation, are neglecting their kids, or simply don’t have time to get their kids vaccinated. We shouldn’t allow misinformation—or parental neglect—to prevent teens from getting the vaccines they need to stay healthy and participate in their communities.”