Bill says North Carolina youth would need OK parent for COVID-19 vaccine :: WRAL.com

By the associated press

RALEIGH, North Carolina – Children in North Carolina would need parental permission before they can receive COVID-19 vaccines approved by federal regulators for emergency use in legislation that advanced by a Senate committee on Wednesday.

The parent or guardian requirement is contained in a bill approved by the Senate Health Care Committee that would also expand the types of drugs immunizing pharmacists can administer.

The authorization is designed to address concerns from some parents and lawmakers that young people could get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 while still authorized for emergency use, Senator Jim Burgin said , R-Harnett.

Currently, only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for children 12 to 17 years old. North Carolina law currently allows these children to make the decision for themselves, “if they show the decision-making ability to do so,” according to the State Department. health and social services.

The bill, which is now heading to another Senate committee, would also order the state health director to issue standing orders to immunize pharmacists to administer more drugs to customers without additional medical prescriptions. These drugs would include some nicotine smoking cessation programs, some oral or patch-administered contraceptives, and prenatal vitamins.

Immunizing pharmacists should keep records of these exemptions and make them available to patients and their physicians.

___

Follow AP’s coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.