The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Should my child have a COVID vaccine? Here's what can happen when parents disagree

  • Written by Nicholas Wood, Associate Professor, Discipline of Childhood and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney
Should my child have a COVID vaccine? Here's what can happen when parents disagree

Australian children aged 5-11 are eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine from today[1].

For many parents, vaccinating their child is a shared decision with both parents agreeing to go ahead.

But not all parents agree.

As we roll out COVID vaccines to younger children this week, what options are there if one parent wants to vaccinate their child but the other doesn’t?

Why do parents disagree about COVID vaccines?

Before COVID, parents chose to vaccinate their children for a range of reasons[2]. This included a feeling of social responsibility, a belief in the protective medical benefit and safety of vaccines, and possibly a financial incentive, driven by policies including “No Jab No Pay[3]”.

However, for some, barriers to timely vaccination remain[4]. For instance, childhood illnesses may have prevented vaccination, or it may be difficult to get to a vaccine clinic because of work commitments or lack of transport.

Read more: Why do people not vaccinate?[5]

Others believe vaccination has unacceptable side effects or immunisation is ineffective in preventing disease. Others believe vaccines contain harmful substances, prefer natural or homeopathic alternatives, or mistrust medical evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccination.

A minority of parents also falsely believe these apply[6] to COVID-19 vaccines.

Why are disputes more of an issue now?

As we roll out COVID-19 vaccines to more children, vaccine disputes between parents may rise.

If parents disagree, what happens next partly depends on the age and maturity of the child[7].

For instance, teenagers aged 16 years and older are usually considered to have the capacity to consent[8] for themselves. So if parents disagree, older teenagers with the capacity to consent can go ahead and get their shot anyway.

Where disputes are likely to arise is for younger children. For those aged 12-15, vaccinators like to see agreement from the adolescent to be vaccinated plus consent from the parent or guardian.

For children under 12, a parent or guardian[9] needs to provide consent as young children are not deemed to have capacity to do so.

Written consent to vaccination is not required in Australia.

What happens next?

When parents disagree over whether to vaccinate their child, the child may be delayed in getting vaccinated or can remain unvaccinated until they can consent themselves.

Depending on the relationship between parents and whether it is safe to do so, parents can look together at reliable sources of information[10] and answers to frequently asked questions[11] about vaccination. These may address any misunderstandings or disagreements.

Seeking external advice from a neutral third party, such as a GP or specialist immunisation service[12], is also recommended. Other options include getting in touch with community organisations, such as family relationships organisations[13], or the Family Relationship Advice Line[14] (1800 050 321). These may be able to advise about mediation.

If these methods fail, going to court may be the last resort. This comes with significant financial and emotional costs, so is best avoided.

Australia’s Family Court has set up a COVID-19 list[15] to prepare for hearing disputes about children being vaccinated against COVID-19. The courts have already seen a rise in applications[16].

We can’t say for certain how the courts will decide. What we do know, however, is what happened when non COVID-19 vaccination disputes went to court.

The court has favoured vaccination

In research we have submitted for publication, we reviewed 27 cases involving parental disputes involving non COVID-19 immunisations. These went to court in Australia between 2002 and 2021.

In 21 of those cases, the court decided in favour of the parent who supported vaccination. In five cases, the court declined to make a decision due to a lack of medical expert evidence presented and asked this be gathered for future hearings. In only one case was parental responsibility awarded to the party opposing vaccination.

In all cases where traditional Western medical expert evidence was presented, the court decided in favour of the parent who supported vaccination.

Read more: Safety, side effects, allergies and doses. The COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year olds explained[17]

In many cases, courts made statements on the individual and public benefits of immunisation. Common themes across judgements included:

  • any potential risks of vaccination are greatly outweighed by the risk of harm from vaccine-preventable diseases
  • failure of a parent to immunise exposes a child to risk of harm
  • indirect benefits of immunisation to the community argues in favour of vaccination.

Many of these statements made about non COVID-19 vaccines also apply to COVID-19 vaccines.

Based on prior experience it seems likely courts will decide in favour of immunisation.

Start the discussion now

Almost 80% of Australian 12 to 15 year olds have had one dose of COVID vaccine and about 73% have had two doses. So if vaccine uptake[18] in this age group is an accurate guide of parents’ views, we are likely to see similar high uptake in children aged 5-11.

Over 7 million children[19] aged 5-11 in the US have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and over 4 million have had two doses.

Clinical trial data of children this age showed[20] they made antibodies and the vaccine showed efficacy. Real-world data is anticipated. There have been no safety concerns to date[21].

So, if you haven’t already started talking about vaccinating your child, now is the time.

Grace Barbara, a 4th year medical student at the University of Sydney, conducted the review of legal cases and contributed to research mentioned in this article.

References

  1. ^ from today (www.ncirs.org.au)
  2. ^ range of reasons (www.racgp.org.au)
  3. ^ No Jab No Pay (www.ncirs.org.au)
  4. ^ remain (gh.bmj.com)
  5. ^ Why do people not vaccinate? (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ apply (www.jpeds.com)
  7. ^ age and maturity of the child (www.health.qld.gov.au)
  8. ^ consent (www.healthdirect.gov.au)
  9. ^ parent or guardian (www.health.gov.au)
  10. ^ reliable sources of information (mvec.mcri.edu.au)
  11. ^ frequently asked questions (ncirs.org.au)
  12. ^ specialist immunisation service (ncirs.org.au)
  13. ^ family relationships organisations (www.abc.net.au)
  14. ^ Family Relationship Advice Line (www.familyrelationships.gov.au)
  15. ^ COVID-19 list (www.fcfcoa.gov.au)
  16. ^ rise in applications (www.smh.com.au)
  17. ^ Safety, side effects, allergies and doses. The COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year olds explained (theconversation.com)
  18. ^ vaccine uptake (www.health.gov.au)
  19. ^ 7 million children (covid.cdc.gov)
  20. ^ showed (theconversation.com)
  21. ^ no safety concerns to date (www.cdc.gov)

Read more https://theconversation.com/should-my-child-have-a-covid-vaccine-heres-what-can-happen-when-parents-disagree-174395

The Times Features

Understanding the Dangers of Ignoring a Gas Leak

Gas leaks are silent threats lurking within both homes and workplaces. A gas leak occurs when natural gas or any other gaseous substance escapes from a pipeline or containment. T...

Can You Sell Your House Privately in Queensland? Here’s How

Selling a house privately in Queensland is entirely possible and can be a cost-effective alternative to using a real estate agent. While agents provide valuable expertise, their co...

Itinerary to Maximize Your Two-Week Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

Two weeks may not seem like much, but it’s just the right time for travelers to explore the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the magnificent te...

How to Protect Your Garden Trees from Wind Damage in Australia

In Australia's expansive landscape, garden trees hold noteworthy significance. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also play an integral role in the local...

Brisbane Homeowners Warned: Non-Compliant Flexible Hoses Pose High Flood Risk

As a homeowner in Brisbane, when you think of the potential for flood damage to your home, you probably think of weather events. But you should know that there may be a tickin...

Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo: Nourish and Revitalize Your Hair

Are you ready to transform your hair from dull and lifeless to vibrant and full of life? Look no further than the luxurious embrace of Argan Oil-Infused Moroccanoil Shampoo! In a...

Times Magazine

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

LayBy Shopping