PA Push For Kids To Get Vaccine Without Parental Consent Advances

HARRISBURG, PA — Minors 14 and older would be able to receive the coronavirus vaccine without parental or guardian consent under legislation soon to be introduced in the General Assembly.

An impending companion measure would require require parents seeking a religious or philosophical exemption from mandatory school vaccinations for children to consult annually with a physician so they understand the risks of not being vaccinated.

State Rep. Dan Frankel of Pittsburgh is seeking support for the bills in the House, while Sen. Amanda Cappelletti of Delaware County is making a similar effort in the Senate. The pair will discuss the pending legislation, likely to be introduced when the Legislature reconvenes in September, Monday at a news conference in Pittsburgh.

"In Pennsylvania, there are over 12,500 students in school whose parents opted out of the vaccinations," Frankel stated in a recent memo to House members. "Many of these students may want to be vaccinated, but have no way of doing so without parental or guardian consent under Pennsylvania law."

Frankel also noted that the lifestyle of teens puts them at greater risk for the coronavirus and other diseases because teens go to summer camps, spend time in youth groups, on sports teams or in crowded classrooms.

"They are also more likely to fill jobs with high exposure to the public, in grocery stores, movie theaters and retail establishments," Frankel stated.

Frankel said the bill would mirror an existing law allowing those 14 and older to consent to inpatient mental health treatment.

Regarding the second measure he and state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski and pushing, Frankel contended that for a Pennsylvania family sending their child to school, it's easier to get an exemption from immunization than it is to protect a child from disease.

"The choice to forego immunity protections is a serious one," Frankel said. "As children grow, new options ford disease resistance become available, and more outbreaks occur, parents should continuously educate themselves about the implications of refusing immunizations."

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