COVID-19 Vaccines For Kids: What Happens When Divorced And Separated Parents Disagree?

• Published date: 01 June 2021
• Law Firm: Miller Thomson LLP
• Author: Ms Caroline Kim and Patricia Fourcand

The COVID-19 vaccine has recently been approved for children aged 12 and up. For many teens and parents this is good news and signals a return to pre-COVID life.

But what happens when separated parents disagree about whether their children should get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Although most separating parents negotiate agreements and make concessions about schedules and decision-making, it is impossible to compromise when it comes to vaccinations. Either a child is vaccinated or they are not - there is no in between.

This creates a difficult situation as doctors will not vaccinate a child unless both parents agree. If parents do not agree, doctors will want to see an agreement or court order that clearly states which parent can make vaccination decisions.

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