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Original poster

DD friend doesn't want HPV vaccine

38 replies

Worriedmom2020 · 03/03/2020 16:28

Hi,

Not looking for a pro and anti vaccine conversation.

Wondering if you can help please. My DD's friend doesn't want to have the HPV vaccine, but parents have filled out the consent form. DD's friend has done her research.

The consent form also included the minors consent. If she doesn't consent, will they have to vaccinate her against her will?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Spartonian · 03/03/2020 16:31

I am assuming they can't pin her down and forcefully administer the vaccine.

Has she tried talking to her parents giving the reasons why she's so against it?

Lolimax · 03/03/2020 16:32

How old is she? Gullick competency would mean the HCP would have to assess if she has insight and understanding.

Original poster
Worriedmom2020 · 03/03/2020 17:14

She is just turned 13. Parents wouldn't discuss it.

OP posts:
mencken · 03/03/2020 17:39

no, she hasn't done 'research'. She's read babble on the internet.

however many adults can't assess risk either. As long as she is informed of the actual facts then she has a right to refuse assuming normal intelligence. She can have the vaccine up to age 25 when she'll hopefully have more sense.

underneaththeash · 03/03/2020 20:15

She'd have to be pretty stupid not to have it.

I suspect when she sees all her friends going ahead, she just have it done. I wouldn't get involved.

ChateauMargaux · 04/03/2020 07:54

This is an extract from the Green Book on consent.

'If a person aged 16 or 17 or a Gillick-competent child refuses treatment that
refusal should be accepted. It is unlikely that a person with parental
responsibility could overrule such a refusal. It is possible that the court might
overrule a young person’s refusal if an application to court is made
under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 or the inherent jurisdiction of the
High Court.'

www.gov.uk/government/publications/consent-the-green-book-chapter-2

Gillick competence should be applied consistently and is used for minors aged 13 where their parents do not consent but the child does so should be applied in reverse, regardless of the opinions of the medical staff as to whether it is in the child's best interest or not.

The link above also discussed what information should be provided to ensure consent is informed.

HoppingPavlova · 07/03/2020 03:51

No they won’t vaccinate her against her will at that age.

Really interested to know what robust research your daughters friend has done, which scientific papers are these? I’m guessing her research has been a load of twaddle on the internet pushed forward by anti-vaxers who claim qualifications they don’t actually have and refer to studies that are not recognised as such.

Topseyt · 07/03/2020 04:05

They are unlikely to vaccinate her against her will, but I would call her pretty stupid to refuse this.

Her "research" will just have been reading some bollocks on the internet. Plenty of people think that because something is on the internet then it must be true.

She's a silly girl who has swallowed some anti-vax psychobabble. Her "research" will not have included years of medical study.

ragged · 07/03/2020 04:12

Did OP say why the girl doesn't want the jab? They don't hurt that much.

CuppaZa · 07/03/2020 04:14

They won’t vaccinate her against her will.

Mummyoflittledragon · 07/03/2020 04:43

My dd is yr7 and will not be having it next year. She has a medical condition and it’s too scary for her right now to contemplate this when she will be only 12/13. She doesn’t yet understand the implications and we can talk about it again at 14/15 for example. I discussed vaccinations with the school before she started when we were doing her care plan and they told me not to send her in that day.

Idk why this girl is refusing. It is something she can revisit with her parents at a later date and can be easily administered at her Gp surgery. The same as any vaccinations.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 07/03/2020 05:50

I was at school the first year that the vaccines were given. My friend was absolutely terrified of needles and passed out so they gave her the injection while she was unable to resist. I'm pretty sure that's classed as assault but she's glad they did it. I'm pretty sure we had to sign our own consent forms too.

PassMeTheNutella · 08/03/2020 00:21

When I was 13 I was pinned down by two teachers and a nurse to have my BCG jab. So it does happen although it was about 15 years ago now!

Verily1 · 08/03/2020 00:28

That’s assault.

They should all have been sacked.

Thisismytimetoshine · 08/03/2020 00:29

How could it be classed as assault when they’d had written consent, GiveHerHell? It’s not like they’d grabbed her off the street, they didn’t have to wait until she was “able to resist”.
My ds (13) recent had his booster injections at school and the form stated that if the parents didn’t give consent the child would be allowed to give consent themselves. Presumably that would allow an opt out as well.

TheoriginalLEM · 08/03/2020 06:27

My dd didn't want the vaccine - severely needle phobic. I have had CIN3 - she had the fucking vaccine.

whatswithtodaytoday · 08/03/2020 06:30

Is your DD having the vaccination, OP?

GiveHerHellFromUs · 08/03/2020 07:08

@Thisismytimetoshine well in the same way as if you say yes to sex and change your mind but someone proceeds to have sex with you anyway it's rape, I guess?

She signed the forms because she knew she should have the jabs. Phobias are irrational. As I said, she's glad they did what they did. Doesn't be necessarily make it right.

prh47bridge · 08/03/2020 12:28

That’s assault

Only if the child receiving the injection is Gillick competent. As PassMeTheNutella was 13 at the time she is unlikely to have been viewed as Gillick competent so, provided there was parental consent to the treatment, there was no assault.

ChateauMargaux · 08/03/2020 13:05

@prh47bridge The Green Book on consent and vaccines as quoted above clearly states otherwise.

Thisismytimetoshine · 08/03/2020 13:09

Seriously? They have written consent in front of them but they still have to give you a chance to resist? Why?

How does that work with younger children’s boosters; not many four year olds are willing participants.

Flairhead · 08/03/2020 13:13

I doubt it's a case of her having read nonsense on the internet, more likely she's scared of the needle. I remember getting an injection at school at that age, I think it was a meningitis booster. I did end up in tears right beforehand, they said I didn't have to have it but I knew it was important so let them go ahead. I think I nearly broke the poor nurse's fingers when she let me squeeze her hand though! She may well see sense and let them do it.

datasgingercatspot · 08/03/2020 13:16

My DD didn't have it until she was 16. Her choice.

mindproject · 08/03/2020 13:19

I gave DD three choices - have it / don't have it / postpone for a few years until she's older and has researched it fully. She chose the 3rd option, which I also think is the best option.

prh47bridge · 08/03/2020 13:21

@ChateauMargaux - Try reading the quote from the Green Book again and put it alongside what I said. It agrees 100% with me.

If a child aged 16 or 17 or a Gillick competent child refuses treatment that should be accepted. I stated that it is only assault if the child refusing treatment is Gillick competent. That is entirely compatible with the Green Book.

So, if a child aged 16 is forced to have an injection without their consent that is likely to be assault (although there are still circumstances in which it would not be). However, if the child is aged 13 and is not Gillick competent only parental consent is required. The child's views are irrelevant.