Thread by @miamalan

[Thread] 1. Can teens (12-17) go 2 #VaccineRollOutSA sites without an accompanying adult + get vaccinated @ #COVID19?

Government sites: YES, @heatlhza: “A teen can legally expect to be vaccinated without a parent present + without a guardian's consent.”

@Discovery_SA sites: NO.

2. Why don’t teens (12-17) need their parents’ permission to get vaccinated @ #COVID19?

The Children’s Act says kids of 12+ can consent to medical treatment if they’re of sufficient maturity + have the mental capacity to understand the benefits/risks: bit.ly/3bar7Dm

3. Was the regulation in the Children’s Act that allows for children of 12+ to consent to their own medical treatment created especially for #COVID19 jabs?

NO. That regulation has been there since the Act was proclaimed in 2005.

4. Does any other Act also give children of 12+ the right to consent to their own medical treatment?

Yes.

The Termination of Pregnancy Act encourages kids of 12+ to consult with their guardians before having an abortion, but it's not a requirement: bit.ly/3C5XPlk

5. 1 thing the Children’s Act, Termination of Pregnancy Act + #COVID19 jab regulations have in common = they encourage kids of 12+ to consult with parents/guardians. But if parents disagree with them, kids of 12+ = entitled to take up/refuse treatments without their permission.

6. The law therefore allows for a child of 12+ to go to a government #VaccineRolloutSA site without an accompanying adult and get vaccinated against #COVID19 — for free. @healthza: "We prefer for parents to be involved and to consent, but it is not a statutory obligation."

7. So what happens at @Discovery_SA sites?

Teens can’t get vaccinated if they’re not accompanied by an adult.

1. The adult needs to sign a validation form to confirm they're an "entrusted adult".
2. The adult doesn’t need to be a legal guardian, but they need to be 18+.

8. Is a validation form and a consent form the same thing?

NO.

@Discovery_SA's Ron Whelan: "Teens don't need the consent of an [accompanying] adult to get vaccinated. The intention = to ensure ... they have all the necessary support through their vaccination journey."

9. Why can teens go 2 public #VaccineRollOutSA sites without an adult, but not 2 @Discovery_SA sites?

1. @heatlhza:“It’s Discovery’s own prerogative” as long as they allow teens 2 get vaccinated “on their own cognizance”.
2. Discovery says adults will ensure teens have support.

10. What does @Discovery_SA mean when they say an adult will provide support for the teen?

Ron Whelan: “We mean support in the event of anxiety or side effects. These are very uncommon but we must provide all the necessary protections.”

11. What should a teen who wants to get vaccinated do when their guardian says no?

1. Go 2 a public site. Teens can get jabbed without an accompanying adult.
2. Go 2 a @Discovery_SA site with an adult who agrees with the vaccination (adults don't need to be legal guardians).