12-year-olds could get vaccinated without parental consent under bill proposed in Connecticut

Connecticut state Rep. Kevin Ryan has introduced a bill that would enable kids aged 12 and up to be vaccinated without parental permission.

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: That the general statutes be amended to allow a child twelve years of age or older to receive a vaccination with the consent of such child's parent or guardian," the text of the measure reads.

Connecticut House Minority Leader Rep. Vinnie Candelora described the proposal as "very disturbing."

State Rep. Holly Cheeseman pushed back against the proposal, raising the prospect of a scenario in which a person's child experiences "an adverse reaction" but the parent does not know what has happened to the child.

"Minors under the age of 18 cannot be vaccinated by a healthcare provider without parental consent," according to portal.ct.gov. But the proposal put forward by Ryan would rob parents of this authority.

"I don't think that 12-year-olds do have that mental capacity to be making their own decisions," mother Nicole Malley said.

COVID-19 vaccination has been a point of significant cultural contention, including vaccination as it pertains to youth — while many parents have opted to have their kids get the COVID-19 vaccine jabs, others have chosen not to have their children get the shots.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends COVID-19 vaccination for people aged 6 months and older.

"CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages 6 months of age and older stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination; this includes individuals who are currently eligible to receive an updated (bivalent) vaccine," according to the government agency.

VIDEO: Controversy over proposed kids vaccine billwww.youtube.com

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