JUDY MURRAY
Ever since the first wave of coronavirus ripped through our communities, we had been pinning our hopes on finding an effective vaccine. That faith in science really has been the one constant throughout such an uncertain time.
Now, we are well on our way to protecting the population, as more than four million people have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, while almost 3.8m have received their second dose, too. With much of the adult community now vaccinated, the focus has shifted to the younger generation, and it was announced last week that 12 to 15-year-olds will be offered a single dose of the PfizerBiontech jab from tomorrow.
Although it’s welcome news – especially given the high levels of infection in our schools – there is concern about one aspect of the announcement. In England, guidelines under something called “Gillick competence” say that children will be able to overrule their parents’ decision on whether or not they should have the vaccine, and the same applies in Scotland under the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991. It all sounds very technical, but essentially if a child is deemed competent and understands the health implications, they can refuse, or indeed take, their vaccine dose without their parent or guardian being informed.
Naturally, this is very worrying for parents.
When I heard the news, I thought a lot about the arguments from both sides, and
I took myself back to being a mum of young teenagers. As a parent, you never stop feeling responsible for your children, but it’s especially true when they are taking their first tentative steps towards adulthood.
Between the ages of 12 and 17, they grow, develop and change so much both physically and emotionally, it’s vital that parents provide guidance and support to steer them in the right direction. So, what happens if you strip parents of that right?
Yes, I have always been a strong advocate for encouraging children to make their own decisions and speak their mind, but when it comes to their health, surely mum (or dad or grandparent or carer) knows best? I just don’t think children of that age have enough life experience to make an informed decision.
What’s more, we know all too well how easily influenced young people can be, particularly by their peers and even celebrities. It would just take one influential person advocating against vaccines for a group to decide they don’t want to take the “risk”. Just look at rapper Nicki Minaj, who last week made incredible outlandish claims about side effects of the vaccine (no, I won’t repeat them, this is a family paper) and was criticised by none other than England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty. He even went so far as to say those, like Minaj, who spread myths about Covid-19 vaccines “should be ashamed”.
Allowing children to overrule their parents on a matter so important as their health will open a massive can of worms, and I can completely understand why many are concerned. Decisions like this need to be made as a family, taking everyone’s opinions or concerns into account. To do otherwise could create massive rifts that will take a long time to heal.
Children are allowed to choose whether they get the vaccine