DC Vaccine Bill Passes First Council Vote October 21, 2020

On Tuesday, the full Council of DC voted to pass The Minor Consent for Vaccinations Amendment Act. The bill must receive a second full Council vote before going to the Mayor for her signature.

The bill would permit a minor deemed informed and mature by their physician to receive a vaccination without parental consent. The bill's aim is increase herd immunity in the District's school age population and combat falsehoods about vaccines' impacts.

While the District maintains a high vaccination rate among school-aged children, the rate last year dropped below the 95% vaccination rate generally considered necessary for herd immunity.

The Medical Society and DC Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics worked on this legislation with Councilmember Mary Cheh's office and Chair Vincent Gray's Committee on Health staff. Councilmember Cheh noted at the Council meeting that the bill allows physicians to be "gatekeepers" of the informed consent standard.

The bill passed with only one dissenting vote, which came from Councilmember Trayon White. The Councilmember expressed concerns about the history of medical treatments as well as parental rights on medical treatments for children. MSDC points out:

• The minor would have to prove maturity and knowledge of vaccines before a physician would permit the vaccine to be given
• Vaccines are shown to be one of the safest medical treatments available, and many of the misnomers of vaccine effects have been roundly debunked
• Minors can consent to medical treatment without parental consent in the District around abortion, birth control, STD treatments, and behavioral health.

Chairman Gray thanked the Medical Society of DC and DC Health for working with the Council and committee on the bill's language.

At the same meeting, the Certificate of Stillbirth Act and Opioid Labeling Amendment Act both passed without objection. MSDC PLAN Chair Dr. Sam Kareff testified in favor of both bills at the July hearing.