13 YO does not give his consent for nasal flu jab.

[TheOrigRights]

He's had it every year since year 3 or 4 I think, as part of the national roll out (something like that, he's not clinically vulnerable).
This year he has said he does not give his consent.
I had a discussion with him as to how he came to his decision and talked about making an informed decision.

All that said, I think I have to respect his choice, don't I.

Well done to you and family. Much respect to you all for that.

This is incorrect, the nasal flu spray is more effective in children than the injection and is the preferred method of vaccination, the flu injection is only given to those children who are unable to receive the nasal vaccine due to it being a live vaccine or due to the contents. The injection is still effective but not as effective as the nasal.

Butter Thank you, that's a kind thing to say.

Well, yeah. I don’t think there’s any point me blandly saying ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ I think all these things are important. If the family culture is that the older son an refuse vaccinations, having an impact on every other family
member, and this isn’t seen as selfish and ruining things, then that could impact how the younger son is seeing it.

But obviously you haven’t answered any of the questions - I wasn’t starting a vaccine debate but more pointing out that if he looks up to his older brother I wonder if he sees his brother’s behaviour as admirable rather than selfish, and if he fully sees the implications ie that his brother’s choice not to be vaccinated led to problems for others. I would want him to have thought all this through deeply before refusing a vaccination.

@squirrel76 according to the CDC (centre for disease control in USA). Each year the nasal spray is between 40% and 60% effective. It is also less effective against H1N1 (swine flu) and in the USA nasal is not recommended for vaccination against swine flu. I'm correct.

Yes think this is relevant. Younger brothers often look up to older siblings obviously so he may see this as a way of being as grown up as the older one rather than an act made of its own merits. Which is actually inherently immature rather than the maturity he may perceive it as.

No, he is a child. It is you the parent who calls the shots.

How can a 13 year old child over-ride the parent?

Don't lose sleep over it.
There are millions of elderly and vulnerable patients eligible for the flu vaccine who refuse year after year to have it themselves. I se
I see it every day.
I never gave mine the flu vaccine when young.
Practice nurse.

Well, good for your lad,it’s important that young people should feel that they can make informed decisions about their health, and I am equally glad that you are making him articulate his reasons, all too often children follow trends/ friends/ influencers without actually working out and justifying issues for themselves.

And we are all all too aware of where that can lead.

Google Gillick Competency. Very famous case that changed the law.

@IAmWomanHearMeRoar1 because a 13 year old has Gilliam Competence and bodily autonomy.

It's the same reason teenage girls can get contraception without parental consent or can refuse medication.

Gillick* bloody autocorrect