A bill up for consideration in the Maryland legislature would allow health care providers to vaccinate children without their parent or guardian’s consent, so long as they feel the child is able to understand the benefits and potential consequences of getting vaccinated.
The bill, introduced in the Maryland state Senate, says a minor who is at least 14 years old “has the same capacity as an adult to consent to vaccination.” The bill further states minors under the age of 14, including a minor who is developmentally disabled or unemancipated, “has the capacity to consent to vaccination if: in the opinion of the health care provider, the minor is of sufficient intelligence to understand and appreciate the need for, nature of and the significant risks and consequences of the vaccination; and the minor is able to give informed consent.”
