School-Based Health Centers & Minor Consent to Vaccination

Many schools nationwide offer health services through school-based health centers (SBHC) to improve access to health care for underserved populations.¹  These services may include vaccination. Parents and guardians have the right to be notified when SBHC services will be provided to a minor child.²

Federal Vaccination & Consent Rights

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), SBHCs receiving federal funds must obtain consent from parents and guardians when services are provided to minor children. However, this provision may not apply if you live in a state that allows minors to consent to health procedures.³  

The federal National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 requires that parents and guardians receive a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) before a minor child can receive a routinely recommended vaccine.⁴  

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the SBHC setting, a VIS for each routinely recommended childhood vaccine must be given to the student’s parents or guardians before vaccination.^{5 6} Additionally, the CDC states that schools must verify that parents and guardians have received and reviewed the VIS⁷ and that it may be distributed several weeks before an SBHC event where vaccination may be provided, as long as the VIS is current.⁸

This means that while a child may be able to consent to vaccination in some states,  parents and guardians in all states should receive a VIS from their child’s school before a child can consent to vaccination.

Notification for School Vaccination Services

Schools receiving federal funding are subject to the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) of 1974. This federal law states that schools must notify parents and guardians of any activity requiring invasive physical examination, including, but not limited to, bodily injections.^{9 10} PPRA also provides parents with the right inspect curriculum being taught in school.

Under PPRA, violations must be reported within 180 days of the violation. These complaints are filed with the form provided to parents and guardians on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.¹¹ 

Protecting Students from Vaccination Bullying

NVIC advises that you be proactive and reach out to your child’s school to find out if they allow minor consent to vaccination; if and when vaccine clinics are scheduled; how far in advance you will receive a VIS; what vaccine-related curriculum is in use, and how to opt out of vaccination services you do not desire for your child.

***Updated Aug. 25, 2023:  A 2022 study published in the journal Pediatrics provided a state by state overview of laws on minor consent to medical care with links to statutes. These laws vary from state to state and can change. To confirm minor consent laws listed within this study, visit NVIC's state pages by scrolling down to the clickable U.S. map. Once on your state page, expand the Other State Resources tab and click on the link provided for your state's legislature to discover how to access your state's most current statutes on minor consent. You can also contact your legislature directly for information on accessing the most current statutes in your state.***

Talk to your child about vaccines and your vaccination decisions. Have a plan in place should your child be told that they must receive a vaccine without your consent or that they can agree to vaccination on their own. Many parents choose to tell their children to always say no until they can speak to their parents or to say they want to call and talk to their parents before vaccination.

Arm yourself with knowledge, empower, and protect your child with a plan to prevent coercion and bullying in the SBHC setting.

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9 Responses to "School-Based Health Centers & Minor Consent to Vaccination"

Gernzz

Posted: 8/24/2023 7:50:23 AM

How do we research by state who allows for Student Consent? ***Please note: Article Updated 8/25/23 by author.

Mari

Posted: 8/24/2023 7:57:41 AM

Healthcare decisions should never be put in the child's hands. The children are NOT wards if the state and the government has no business coercing vaccines to children. That is exactly what this is regardless how you word it.

Colorado

Posted: 8/24/2023 8:14:12 AM

Great information, thank you. We'll be talking to our children about the 'just say no' route. Schools have no business talking to children about providing the child vaccines, or any other medical procedures, without the parents present.

Laurie parke

Posted: 8/24/2023 9:12:02 AM

This is so outrageous that we live in a contest that tries to go behind a parents back and do something to their child. It seems like it should fall under an illegal activity to coerce a child to do something under a mask of "it's for their protection". It is the parents right to decide what their OWN child receives or not when it comes to their health. Who will be taking care of the expense if your child has a severe reaction to something a parent knows their child may have. This is monstrous and these people should be stopped!!!!!

Michigan Is CORRUPT

Posted: 8/24/2023 11:55:46 AM

This is unacceptable and TYRANNICAL!!! REPOSTING: Laurie parke Posted: 8/24/2023 9:12:02 AM This is so outrageous that we live in a contest that tries to go behind a parents back and do something to their child. It seems like it should fall under an illegal activity to coerce a child to do something under a mask of "it's for their protection". It is the parents right to decide what their OWN child receives or not when it comes to their health. Who will be taking care of the expense if your child has a severe reaction to something a parent knows their child may have. This is monstrous and these people should be stopped!!!!!

Donica Mishler

Posted: 8/24/2023 7:59:38 PM

As a parent of a fully unvaccinated young man, who is very healthy I have studied and researched pros and cons for years. I may choose to vax if travel to a country with known diseases. But it is my choice. If schools, try to force a vaccine - I will also enforce a signed document that school agrees to pay for any all reactions short and long-term effects from the Vaccine..

Terry DiNobi

Posted: 8/25/2023 1:34:48 PM

What has happened to parents rights!! Government has been in control too much of our lives! Dept of education is a failure matter of fact everything in government is a failure!! They don’t care about our children they don’t care about us! It’s our money paying them!!

Scott Kiley

Posted: 8/27/2023 12:42:02 PM

The wealth of information on this website is spectacular. Thank you Barbara and thank you to the entire team that is battling censorship and educating humanity.

Jamie Heeringa

Posted: 8/28/2023 5:16:30 PM

Let’s hope schools are forced to adhere to this! Our poor kids… that we should have to worry and fight for this!