Parents will lose the ability to decide when and if their child is vaccinated once they turn 12 according to a new California bill being heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee this Thursday. This would include the controversial COVID-19 vaccination and as well as any other vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that meets the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Teens Choose Vaccines Act, SB 866, authored by Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) would allow a minor, 12 and older, to consent to vaccines “without the consent of the parent or guardian of the minor.”
“So many teens want to be vaccinated so that they can lead a more normal life—participating in sports or band, traveling, going to friends’ homes—but they’re prevented from doing so due to their parents’ political views or inability to find the time,” said Weiner to justify the legislation.
But this justification is not sitting well with parents who know 12-year-olds don’t have the maturity or medical knowledge to make their own medical decisions.
“Parents, not government officials, have the primary responsibility for overseeing the health and well-being of their own children,” said Greg Burt, Director of Capitol Engagement for the California Family Council. “Not every 12-year-old knows the details of their own medical history, nor do they have the critical thinking skills or knowledge necessary to make an informed decision.”
There is also concern teens can easily be manipulated into taking vaccines, not because they believe it’s the best medical decision, but because of peer pressure or manipulation by adults. The Los Angeles Unified School District offers kids all kinds of incentives for getting the COVID-19 vaccine, including sports tickets to the Lakers, Rams, and Dodgers; amusement park tickets to Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and Magic Mountain; as well as $100 Amazon Gift Cards and tickets to see the musical Hamilton.
Take Action
Please call your State Senator’s office to and tell them to vote no! You can connect to your Senator here.
Call the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and tell them not to violate parental rights, Vote “NO” on SB 866. Their hearing on SB 866 is on Thursday, May 5 at the conclusion of the Senate Floor session which starts at 9 a.m. See hearing details here.
- Senator Thomas J. Umberg (Chair) (916) 651-4034
- Senator Andreas Borgeas (Vice Chair) (916) 651-4008
- Senator Anna M. Caballero (916) 651-4012
- Senator María Elena Durazo (916) 651-4024
- Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (916) 651-4033
- Senator Robert M. Hertzberg (916) 651-4018
- Senator Brian W. Jones (916) 651-4038
- Senator John Laird (916) 651-4017
- Senator Henry I. Stern (916) 651-4027
- Senator Bob Wieckowski (916) 651-4410
- Senator Scott D. Wiener (916) 651-4011
