Call for some kids to get vaxxed without parental consent

The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) is appealing to the health ministry to facilitate the vaccination of children 16 and older against COVID-19 without parental consent.

Some 200,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines have been earmarked by the Government to prioritise the vaccination of children 12 years and older.

The advocacy group said that the Jamaican legislative framework, within which adolescent access to healthcare exists, already supports the notion that children 16 years and older should be able to access vaccinations without the need for parental approval or even the strict requirement that parents must accompany them.

“This notion is particularly important having considered the circumstances where there may be either a clear conflict between what is actually a child’s best interest and what a parent believes is in that child’s best interests and where a child, who is aware of the nature and effects of the virus, appreciates the impact of the pandemic on the society, has done considerable research on the various vaccinations that exist and has formed their own views that they wish to be vaccinated but has encountered resistance from a parent,” JYAN said.

Anti-vaccination sentiment

A recent survey by Jamaica’s education ministry found that only 59 per cent of parents were willing to have their children vaccinated.

“From observations across varying platforms, it seems likely that the very present anti-vaccination sentiment that has been persistent in attempting to sully national vaccination efforts may affect the ability of the Government to successfully vaccinate our children,” said the advocacy group.

Further, JYAN argued that this would militate against the successful resumption of face-to-face learning, the absence of which has sparked alarming levels of learning loss.

While not expressing support for JYAN’s advocacy, Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison said she understood the perspective that referenced the Age of Majority Act, which exempts children 16 years and older from seeking parental consent to medical procedures within reason.

“If parent and child can be at one, can discuss the pros and the cons, and make a joint decision, that’s always a more amicable and less adversarial way of moving forward,” said Gordon Harrison, a former prosecutor.

“Even though there is this legal premise, I think we still need to come from the perspective of empowering parents and children to have private discussions and coming to a decision which is really in the best interest of the child.”

The children’s advocate said that at 16 years old, some children may not be seized of the full details of their medical history or allergy profile.

Shernette Graham, a nurse and mother of three who turned out at the Jamaica College vaccination site on Monday, asserted that 16- and 17-year-olds are not full-fledged adults - a designation for 18 years and older - and require the consent of a parent.

“There’s a strange law that I’m not really comfortable with - that they are consenting adults when it comes to sex - but personally, I think parents should give consent for a 16-year-old to take the vaccine,” she told The Gleaner on Monday.

Christine Swaby rejected JYAN’s recommendation, arguing that parental consent is fundamental.

“If the child should have a rare allergic reaction, the responsibility will still be on the parent to get medical attention for the child, so parental consent is needed,” Swaby said.

Kemar Brown shared that consent should remain within the purview of a parent or guardian. He has called for greater emphasis on sensitising parents about the benefits of vaccination.

Alicia Alexander believes that parental consent is vital and appealed to parents to have a conversation with their children about COVID-19 vaccination.

Alexander was overwhelmed by misinformation but remembered how she was vaccinated without incident as a child and allowed her own kids to get their shots as infants.

“I want to give my children the best fighting chance possible, if anything should happen. You can’t see COVID-19, you won’t know who has it. ... Children sometimes don’t listen,” said the mother of three sons.

For Rohan, a father of three, parents should be involved in every aspect of their children’s lives.

“I asked my children about their opinion on the COVID-19 vaccine and their knowledge of the virus. We have to listen to our children and then as adults, guide them,” he said, adding that his two eligible children have been vaccinated.

But JYAN found sympathy with Jheanelle Myers, who supports the notion that kids as young as 16 have the right to apply to the current vaccination drive.

“They should be able to decide on their own if they need to get vaccinated,” Myers said.

According to the Ministry of Health’s online tracker, more than 442,934 persons in Jamaica have received Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson doses, but approximately 139,100 are fully vaccinated.

judana.murphy@gleanerjm.com