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COVID-19 consent for children under 18

Consent for a COVID-19 vaccine for children under age 18 years is provided by a parent or guardian.
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Parental consent

Parental consent for minors under the age of 18 is required. In some circumstances, a minor may be determined to be a mature minor who has the capacity to consent to being immunized on their own behalf. This is determined on a case by case basis.

Consent form

Prior to receiving their immunization, minors (under 18 years of age) if who are not deemed a mature minor will require parent/guardian consent. If the parent/guardian is in attendance, verbal consent is appropriate. If a parent/guardian cannot be in attendance, a consent form can be signed and provided if they are not deemed a mature minor to the immunizer prior to administering the vaccine. This form can be found at Consent for COVID-19 Immunization.

How to deliver the consent form

The parental consent form can be viewed or downloaded electronically. However, electronic signatures or submitting the signed consent form electronically is not possible at this time.

Parents are asked to print the consent form, sign it, and send it with the youth, or individual accompanying the youth, to the immunization appointment.

Additional information

At the appointment

A parent can accompany a youth to their immunization, but if the parent is unable to attend the appointment, the minor can bring a signed consent form. Verbal consent from the parent/guardian at the time of the appointment is preferred.

What if a minor does not have a parent or guardian willing to provide consent, but the youth would like to get the vaccine

In some circumstances, a youth under the age of 18 may be determined to be a mature minor who has the capacity to consent to being immunized on their own behalf.

This is determined by each healthcare provider and takes into consideration a number of factors including age, and ability to understand the benefits and risk of the vaccine.

Providing immunization for a mature minor and the assessment leading to this decision by the attending immunizer is done on a case by case basis.

Current as of: October 7, 2024
Author: Provincial Immunization Program, Alberta Health Services
Our work takes place on historical and contemporary Indigenous lands, including the territories of Treaty 6, Treaty 7 & Treaty 8 and the homeland of the Métis Nation of Alberta and 8 Métis Settlements. We also acknowledge the many Indigenous communities that have been forged in urban centres across Alberta.