Q: I have sole custody of my 7 year old. During a visit with his dad, his dad got him vaccinated without my permission
I was never married to my sons father, and then he moved to a different country. He visits twice a year for a few weeks. He was here over Christmas this year, and I had the flu, so he offered to take my son to his annual physical. While he was there he got him vaccinated for covid, against my wishes. I had already refused it and the doctors office knew that. They also knew our history, and that dad doesn't even live in this country. Yet they still allowed him to override my decision, as the non-custodial parent. What do I do to ensure that he's never allowed to do that again? Do I take legal action against the doctor that allowed that to happen?
A:
Either parent may consent to the vaccination of a minor.
Theoretically, you can petition the court with jurisdiction over your custody case for the sole right to make decisions for the non-emergency medical treatment of your child. However, your refusal to allow routine vaccinations like the COVID-19 vaccine which is recommended by healthcare professionals for children of that age will likely be viewed negatively in any such proceeding.
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