What are Minors’ Rights to the Covid Vaccine?

What Teens Need to Know

What are Minors’ Rights to the Covid Vaccine?

Under New York State guidelines, minors who are 12-15 years old must have a parent or guardian go with them to their vaccination appointment. If the adult accompanying them is not their parent or guardian then they must have written authorization from the parent or guardian.

Minors 16 or 17 years old must provide consent from their parents or guardian for vaccination. This can be in person or by phone at the time of visit. Additionally, a provider can choose to accept written authorization when a parent or guardian is not available by phone or in person.

Are there any exceptions?

  • A pregnant and parenting teen can consent to their own medical care (including vaccinations) for themselves and for their children.
  • A youth who is or has ever been married, or has borne a child but is not currently parenting can also consent to their own medical care, including vaccinations.
  • When a young person has been released for adoption, the vaccine can be administered with the permission of the young person and the consent of the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) Commissioner who has custody.

Accessing the Covid-19 Vaccine as a Youth Experiencing Homelessness or in state care

The previous exceptions apply to all youth, that includes youth living in youth shelters, juvenile jails, foster care and so on. Which means, a young person living in one of these facilities can consent to their own vaccination if they fall within one of those categories.

If they do not, a parent or guardian has to give consent. However, if a parent is not located, has not responded to the vaccination request, or has denied the vaccination request, there are certain actions that can be taken. These actions depend on who has custody of the young person and the process that was used to bring them into care. They are as follows:


Youth may be vaccinated with consent provided by the young person as well as the Local Department of Social Services commissioner when youth are in care under Article 10.

What is Article 10?
Under Article 10, a youth is in care due to abuse or neglect. If a young person is in state care under Article 10, they can get vaccinated if they consent and the LDSS Commissioner consents.


Youth may be vaccinated with the consent of the young person and a court order when youth are in care under:

  • A youth detention program
  • Article 3
    Under Article 3, a youth (over 7 and under 18 years of age) is in care because a court has determined that they are a juvenile delinquent.
  • Article 7
    Under Article 7, a youth (under 18 years of age) is in care because a court has determined them to be a Person In Need of Supervision (PINS).
  • A voluntary placement agreement
    When a parent or guardian allows a child to be placed in temporary foster care.
  • Pre-dispositional detention order
    When a young person is placed under care before their court hearing.

For youth in homeless programs who request to be vaccinated, and who do not have a parent or guardian available to provide consent to vaccination, local health departments may choose to vaccinate such young people after informing them of the risks and benefits of the vaccine.