Vaccination Consent
Informed consent must be obtained from the individual or the person with parental responsibility before proceeding with a vaccination.
The individual must be provided with enough information to enable them to make an informed decision for consent to be given. Include information on:
- Process
- Benefits
- Risks
- Data sharing and storage
There is no legal requirement for written consent to be given and signature on a consent form is not proof that consent has been given, but helps to record discussions with the patient or person giving consent on behalf of a child and the decision made. NB: Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Considerations on who can consent:
Adults(18 years and over) |
Must consent to their treatment |
If able to make decisions for themselves consults:
|
Young People (16-17 years) |
Assumed to have capacity to consent* |
If sufficient evidence suggests otherwise, consent may be given by a person with parental responsibility |
Children under 16 years and 'Gillick competent' |
As for "Young People" |
NB: There is no lower age limit for Gillick competence but would rarely be appropriate or safe for a child less than 13 years of age to consent to treatment without a parents involvement |
Young Children |
Not competent to give or withhold consent |
*in exceptional circumstances person with parental responsibility may override a decision to withold consent