Parental disputes - How do the Courts decide if a child is to receive Covid-19 vaccines?

My colleague Natalie Bruce recently had an article published in the January edition of the Journal, page 21, which looks at how the Courts are likely to decide whether a child should receive Covid-19 vaccines in the event of a dispute between parents. What does this mean for parents?

The article considers the first case in the UK dealing with child Covid-19 vaccinations. The case involved a 12-year-old boy who was in the care of a local authority. The child wished to have the Covid-19 vaccines, his father supported vaccination, however the child’s mother was opposed to the vaccinations. Due to the dispute, the local authority who cared for the child applied to the Court for determination. 

The mother’s basis for opposition to the child receiving vaccinations was because she did not feel the vaccines to be tried and tested. The mother also claimed she would hold the Court responsible if the child suffered any adverse reactions. The child in question had no underlying medical issues.   

As part of the decision making process, the Court obtained child’s views alongside evidence produced by the parties. The Court was satisfied that the national vaccination programme is based on a wealth of scrutinised evidence and the vaccines had been approved/recommended. The Court had regard to the child’s own views that he wished to receive the vaccinations. In the circumstances the Court determined it was in the child’s best interests to receive the vaccinations.