Teenage friend of DD vaccinated against parent's wishes..

[Frootloop]

This happened to my daughter's 13 yr old friend last week during her annual physical exam and it completely blows my mind.

She slept over this past weekend and after a Gardasil commercial came on, she was telling me how her new doctor and her father got into a huge argument over vaccines just last week after her physical.

Apparently, she (new doctor) was seriously pushing Gardasil and the meningitis vaccine at them (these vaxes must be huge around here because these peds won't shut up about them). Her dad refused both of them adamantly. No shots were to be given during this visit, period. DD's friend didn't care one way or another about the meningitis one, but has heard me talk about the Gardasil quite a few times and didn't want to get it at all (I tend to talk about it a lot when someone brings it up). Her father is also extremely against Gardasil and pretty much told the doctor where she could *ahem* shove her needles if she didn't drop it asap. She backed off.

Her dad "wasn't allowed" to stay in the room during her physical. After the physical was over, the doctor started in on her over the gardasil. She refused it again.. But, since *she* personally didn't care about the meningitis shot, the doctor went ahead and gave it to her, after her father specifically told the doctor NO VAXES.

After she came out holding her arm and her dad realized that she was injected, that's when the huge argument happened. She admitted to giving her the Menactra.

In the end, he backed down (which really surprises me) because he was assured that the meningitis vax wasn't going to cause her any side effects, was desperately needed, and besides, the 13 yr old daughter "was ok with it".

She said that her dad was still really mad, but was just going to drop the issue since he wasn't all that concerned about the Menactra.. Gardasil was his #1 issue.

I'm just completely flabbergasted at this doctor's nerve.
And I told her.. if this happened to us, OMG.. I don't know what I would do. I know I would flip the youknowwhat out, that's for sure.
Which brings me to my questions..

Can they actually get away with going against a parent's wishes simply because the minor child said that it's ok? What recourse, if any would he have if he pressed this issue?

[Juvysen]

omg

[peainthepod]

Oh my God, I would be livid. My first course of action would be to get that girl to a naturopath to see about trying to undo or stop any possible vaccine damage. My second would be to consult an attorney who specializes in malpractice and medical battery. What that doctor did is illegal and she needs to be stopped.

[angelpie545]

I'm pretty sure the parents can sue regardless of whether the child was damaged by the vaccine or not. They went against the parents wishes, which is completely illegal. I believe it is considered assault on one's person to perform a medical procedure against their own wishes or the wishes of those legally responsible for them.

[phathui5]

I take it he wasn't allowed in the room because he was a guy? I would send mom next time, if there is a female parent available.

I'd also file a complaint against the doctor for giving the injection without parental consent.

[Frootloop]

OK.. I thought so. I told her that I was pretty sure that what the doctor did was illegal, but I wasn't 100% sure of it. Thank you for letting me know.

I asked her if her dad was planning on doing anything about it, but she just said that he dropped it altogether since she didn't get the "bad one" (Gardasil). I didn't ask how her mom felt about the situation or why she didn't go with her instead (I felt it was none of my business).

I'm seriously considering giving her parents a call over this, but I just don't know. Even though our daughters have been friends for a few years, and we're all sort of friendly-ish to each other (we used to be neighbors), I don't know how they would take it if I called them over this, you know? We've never been what one would think of as *friends* and her mother reaaaally doesn't seem to like me much for some reason. I don't want to seem like I'm prying into their business or something.

I do have another question..

She said that when the doctor gave her the shot, she first put some sort of "dome-like thing" on her arm and then put the needle through that.
Does anyone know what she could be talking about?
My son didn't have anything like that when I was talked into his Menactra shot.

[Ophelia]

Whenever DS had vaccines, a parent had to sign a consent form. I'm guessing it is like this in every state, and that if the consent form wasn't signed, the parents do have legal recourse.

Wow, what nerve and just total disrespect (not to mention the legal implications) by the doctor for that whole family!

[CanidFL]

Why wasn't he allowed in the room for the exam? That seems very odd. He is her father and it's not like she is naked.

I would be so mad if something like this happened.

Too bad he doesn't have any proof that he didn't consent. It's his word vs the doctor.

[Irishmommy]

Here when they give vaxes in schools to the grade 7 and 8s, if the child's wishes contradict the parents' wishes, the child supersedes. And apparently it's legal.

[becca_howell]

Originally Posted by CanidFL

Why wasn't he allowed in the room for the exam? That seems very odd. He is her father and it's not like she is naked.

I would be so mad if something like this happened.

Too bad he doesn't have any proof that he didn't consent. It's his word vs the doctor.

I don't know about KY, but in FL, doctors are required to get parent signatures for EACH AND EVERY injection the child gets. If he didn't sign consent, it isn't his word vs. the doctor's. It's the doctor's word vs. documentation and I would think he would have quite the lawsuit backing.

Yet another reason my child is NOT left in an examination room unattended by my husband or myself!

[Tofu the Geek]

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

Here when they give vaxes in schools to the grade 7 and 8s, if the child's wishes contradict the parents' wishes, the child supersedes. And apparently it's legal.

Here, I believe it age 16. There is still a consent form, but prior to age 16, it's signed by the parents, after that, it can be signed by the 16 and older child. I can't imagine allowing a child to make that decision at age 12 or 13 (heck, I can't understand it at 16!)

[Frootloop]

Originally Posted by Ophelia

Whenever DS had vaccines, a parent had to sign a consent form. I'm guessing it is like this in every state, and that if the consent form wasn't signed, the parents do have legal recourse.

Wow, what nerve and just total disrespect (not to mention the legal implications) by the doctor for that whole family!

Hmm..
My kids just had a couple vaccines a couple months or so ago (I only started researching not long ago) and I didn't have to sign anything at all prior to them getting them. We actually just switched to this clinic, too, so I would remember signing something like that. I don't remember signing anything at their previous doctors' offices, either.. unless it was shoved into other paperwork like the HIPPA documents and whatnot, which is possible.

Maybe it just varies by state?

And yes, I agree with the total disrespect. From what I understand, this isn't a new clinic for them, just a new doctor, I think. I wish I'd asked her more questions now.

Originally Posted by CanidFL

Why wasn't he allowed in the room for the exam? That seems very odd. He is her father and it's not like she is naked.

I would be so mad if something like this happened.

Too bad he doesn't have any proof that he didn't consent. It's his word vs the doctor.

Ugh.. yeah, the lack of proof that he didn't consent could be a huge problem. I didn't even think about that. :

For the bolded part - Like a PP said, probably because he's a man.. not that it should matter, really, unless she (the teen) didn't want him there, but I don't think that was the case. The way she said it was that the doctor said that he HAD to leave.. that he wasn't allowed in there anymore. I wonder, though, if the doctor just said something along the lines of, "Ok, let's have dad step out and... blah blah", and they just took it as though he HAD to leave? The only reason I'm thinking that is because my son's previous doctor, who was a male, always said the same something like that to us once my son hit his teen years.. but I always let my kids decide if they want me to stay with them or not for the actual physical exams. My almost 12 yr old daughter is comfortable with it, but my 15 yr old son, not so much.

[Frootloop]

Sorry to ask this again, but in case my question in one of my previous replies was missed (it happens, I know!) -

She said that when the doctor gave her the shot, she first put some sort of "dome-like thing" on her arm and then put the needle through that.
Does anyone know what she could be talking about?
My son didn't have anything like that when I was talked into his Menactra shot.

[JesiLynne]

I'd call the parents and talk to them about.

[Proverbs31]

Originally Posted by Ophelia

Whenever DS had vaccines, a parent had to sign a consent form. I'm guessing it is like this in every state, and that if the consent form wasn't signed, the parents do have legal recourse.

Depends on the state; the only nationwide law is that a Vaccine Information Statement must be given to the patient. And even then, I can't see winning any kind of lawsuit, seeing as they get an automatic pat on the back for upholding the vaccination levels high.

[just_lily]

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

Here when they give vaxes in schools to the grade 7 and 8s, if the child's wishes contradict the parents' wishes, the child supersedes. And apparently it's legal.

Would this only be true if the parents didn't want the vax and the child did? What if the situation was reversed and the parents wanted the shot but the child did not? Would they still listen to the child? I kind of doubt that.

And to the OP, I saw your question about the dome thing, and I have no idea.

[mamakah]

: OMG! I would be in jail for assult on a dr.
That is my nightmare come true! It has got to be illegal. Unless he signed some stupid form saying that dr. has right to do what dr. thinks is needed. Disgusting. I can't believe he backed down!!!!! You would think that someone who takes the time to argue with the doc, would lose it in this situation. I hate that this dr. is getting away with this!!!!! Something needs to be done!

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by Frootloop

Sorry to ask this again, but in case my question in one of my previous replies was missed (it happens, I know!) -

She said that when the doctor gave her the shot, she first put some sort of "dome-like thing" on her arm and then put the needle through that.
Does anyone know what she could be talking about?
My son didn't have anything like that when I was talked into his Menactra shot.

It's possible that it was a syringe that had a plastic shield on it to prevent accidental needle sticks. After the injection is given the shield slides forward over the needle. That's my guess anyway.

[alegna]

They might be able to file a complaint, but unless there is a severe reaction I seriously doubt they'd be able to sue.

-Angela

[ZoeyZoo]

Originally Posted by Frootloop

For the bolded part - Like a PP said, probably because he's a man.. not that it should matter, really, unless she (the teen) didn't want him there, but I don't think that was the case. The way she said it was that the doctor said that he HAD to leave.. that he wasn't allowed in there anymore.

Not defending the actions of this doctor but having the parent step out isn't odd to me. I know some doctors have the parent leave (either sex) to ask the child if they are sexually active and other questions they wouldn't answer in front of a parent.