In nearly all but five states, a minor needs verbal or written vaccine consent from their guardians, but nearly 1 out of 4 parents now embrace the term “anti-Vaxxers”. 

This destroys any chance of achieving herd-immunity, which means that vulnerable populations- transplant recipients, those with immunodeficiency diseases, and the elderly- cannot be safe from COVID-19.

Many aspects of life today- educational facilities, work, travel, and social gatherings now have vaccine mandates. Should a parent be unable to be present in their child’s healthcare or be misinformed against vaccination, a minor can be left isolated from school, friends, and all norms of society. Youth mental health is important, especially during this stressful period of COVID-19. By allowing minors to receive their vaccine, we can promote the safety of those unable to receive protection and allow children to safely return back to school this fall.

Furthermore, by the age of 14, adolescents appear to be capable of making rational decisions similar to those of adults. A minors’ choice to receive a vaccine has a positive effect on the public health of their community, which outweighs the hesitancy of their guardian, who may have a less accurate understanding of the risks and benefits of a vaccine. 

In Massachusetts, there are currently no laws allowing minors to receive a vaccine without parental consent. 

I hope to interact with state lawmakers and those of higher power that can communicate my idea of either a state law tweak or the passing of a new bill about this issue. This law tweak would refer to the stated law “Any minor may give consent to his medical or dental care at the time such care is sought if...(vi) he reasonably believes himself to be suffering from or to have come in contact with any disease defined as dangerous to the public health”. This law does not concern society/community mandates, nor a world of COVID-19.

I hope to promote awareness about the utility and importance of vaccines in our daily lives as we slowly return back to pre-COVID life. I also hope to be able to convince legislators to write a bill in favour of my idea. Also, I feel very passionately about supporting those who are unvaccinated but would like to be vaccinated in my society, and also to educate those against the vaccine. Most of all, I want to help the world achieve herd immunity.