MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – With the Alabama Legislature set to begin session in four months, state Rep. Chip Brown is appealing for the third time with his proposal to require parental consent for immunizations of minor children. I hope it becomes something similar.
Rep. Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island) has proposed versions of the bill twice. Under current law, children under the age of 14 can be vaccinated without parental permission. His proposal is to change the law so that all minor children, except those who are legally emancipated from their parents, require written permission from a parent or guardian.
This has been an issue in Alabama ever since the newly developed COVID-19 vaccine began stirring up controversy.
Brown said that as important as it is whether minor children get the shot, parents also need to be involved in the decision.
“In Alabama, the current age of medical consent is 14,” he said. “So, technically, a child can have surgery at age 14. They can have any kind of medical procedure at age 14. So what this bill says is, simply put, “Parental consent is required for any type of vaccination,” along with that. They must agree and allow the child to receive all types of vaccinations. To me, it’s just common sense. ”
A nearly identical bill passed the House by a vote of 81-17 last year, but died in the Senate.
The Alabama Department of Public Health told FOX10 News that the agency is “pleased with the consistency of language between the 2024 version and the current pre-filed version” and looks forward to working with Brown during the 2025 session. He said he is doing so. The latest proposals are expected to be read out at the committee meeting in February.
The initiative has the support of Gov. Kay Ivey as early as 2021.
“It’s always important for parents to be fully involved in decisions made for their child’s health. So no, this is not a hindrance to anything,” she said at the time.
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