Is there a law?

[Healthy Skeptic]

Can a grandma legally take your child to get vaccinated? Is there a specific law against it? I know many a grandma that takes the grandchildren to appts and what not. I have a friend wanting to know if there is a law she can give her gma. She is afraid she will do this to DS.

[angie7]

My first reaction is no unless the gma had guardianship over the child.

[alcabel05]

For our ped's, I had to fill out a form listing who was allowed to bring my kids in for visits. I would think it's that way with most offices.

[Shelsi]

I wonder though if she could just take them down to the health department?

Of course if your friend is worried about grandma doing something like this she shouldn't be watching the kids IMO. If she disrespects this parenting decision what else is she doing behind your friend's back?

[Healthy Skeptic]

Originally Posted by Shelsi

I wonder though if she could just take them down to the health department?

Of course if your friend is worried about grandma doing something like this she shouldn't be watching the kids IMO. If she disrespects this parenting decision what else is she doing behind your friend's back?

Yes, but it is complicated for her. I said the same. She thinks that if she can show grandma that it is illegal it may help her case.

And the health department is exactly what she is afraid of.

We all know how stubborn some grandparents can be. Actually this would be a great grandma. She has taken other grand-kids in for surgery and appointments.

[lovingmommyhood]

I wouldn't risk it. I know when DH took our DS2 to the health clinic for a vax they didn't ask for anything to prove you were the parent/guardian so it's not a stretch for me to think it could happen. I also wonder if some docs wouldn't be pleased as punch to have relatives sneak kids in to "rescue" them from their non vax parents.

If I got the feeling grandma wasn't going to abide by our wishes no way would she be alone with my kids. Sorry, but that's what I'd tell your friend.

[amnesiac]

You should check your state's laws on the subject. In my state, the law specifically allows grandparents to consent to vaccine administration 1) if a parent/guardian is not available & 2) the parent/guardian has not expressly notified them that they are not to give consent.

[NoMariposa]

The easiest solution is to smile polietly and say of course child is vaxed. Honestly is not always the best policy when dealing with the "doctor is g-d generations".

I actually could see a grams taking children to the HD without a question of guardianship, especially if she was smart about it. The pediatricans office could have a notice in the file specifying only mom and dad or specifically excluding grams.

My honest suggestion is to contact your local health dept. Ask them what sort of proof they require to document the child is legally responsible to the person bringing them. I would not go into super detail. I would probably mention a family member against your wishes wants to take your child to the HD for vaccination and your child is under the care of a pediatrician for those matters (no details necessary).

I would not tell grams what you find out at the HD. Depending on what you find out, you might be able to put a document on file or in their computer system that your children are not to be seen there with said family member. You need not tell the HD you are not vaxing, you can simply state their care is with your pediatrician.

Then let grams try and see what happens. Legally, she is not the guardian, unless you have given her your legal rights in a court of law. She obviously needs an offical of the state to tell her she has no rights regarding your children.

[A&A]

Originally Posted by Shelsi

I wonder though if she could just take them down to the health department?

Of course if your friend is worried about grandma doing something like this she shouldn't be watching the kids IMO. If she disrespects this parenting decision what else is she doing behind your friend's back?

[DesireeH]

I would assume only the legal guardian can make medical decisions for the child but I dont think I would be letting Grams ever watch my children anyways.

[Healthy Skeptic]

Thanks, I will pass the info on.

[prairiechild]

When I worked in a drs office, we would never vaccinate without a copy of the shot record for fear of over-vaccinating. There is no way of knowing what the kid needs without a shot record.

The only way around that for the GM, is if the kid has never had a vacc, then of course there would be no shot record.

[angelpie545]

I simply wouldn't let gma spend anytime alone with the child.