Washington State has issued a new standing order that makes Covid vaccines available to nearly everyone — including children — without requiring an individual prescription or even parental consent, setting the state apart from new federal guidance that has moved toward limiting routine Covid vaccination.
The order, signed Sept. 4 by Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, of the Washington State Department of Health, authorizes qualified health care providers to administer the latest versions of FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines to anyone aged six months and older, including pregnant individuals. By removing the prescription barrier, the state made shots available in pharmacies, clinics, and other health care settings with fewer obstacles.
Trump’s administration has been moving away from aggressive Covid vaccination campaigns, moving policy that emphasizes personal choice and the recognition that the pandemic emergency phase is over. Washington, however, is charting its own course by keeping the vaccines widely available and promoting access, a move critics see as undermining the federal approach.
The most contentious part of Washington’s system is how it interacts with a separate state law on minors and medical consent. While the standing order itself does not mention parental permission, Washington’s Mature Minor Doctrine allows children of any age to receive medical care — including vaccinations — without their parents’ approval if a health care provider decides the child is mature enough to make the decision. That could mean very young children are getting vaccinated against their parents’ wishes.
With no strict criteria written into law, and with no explicit direction for providers, the decision is left entirely to a nurse, doctor, or pharmacy assistant’s discretion. It’s also law in Washington state that minors do not need parental knowledge or consent to get an abortion, as state law protects the right of individuals under 18 to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions.
The standing order will remain in effect until revoked by the Department of Health and is subject to annual review.
Here are Alaska’s fall guidelines:
Alaska Health Department issues Fall vaccine guidance, as FDA updates Covid-19 shot advice
Linda Boyle: Medical establishment in revolt against CDC on Covid jab guidance
Linda Boyle: Medical establishment melts down after RFK Jr. limits Covid jab guidance
Death cult.
Maybe we can trade Washington for Alberta
I wonder if Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett did his residency in Wuhan.
Lawsuit time, if you vacvinte my child without permission.
You better believe they’ll do that here too. Mark my words: we’re going to get a democrat or “independent” (democrat) governor this next round. At that point the legislature will erase the PFD altogether, they’ll pass a painful state income tax, and they’ll turn medicine into tyranny. And the citizens (so many of whom moved here from…you guessed: SEATTLE) will be salivating for more, More, MORE!! Look at how the elections have gone, including all the recall efforts that have occurred in the last 10 years in Anchorage. Winds are blowing bluer than blue here. Bye-Bye Alaska. Hello Suburb of Washington State!
A person is required to be 18 years of age for his/her signature to be legal and binding on a contract. Why does this standard not apply to health matters?
Washington State has undercut parents’ rights for a long time, so, unfortunately, this administrative rule is a natural evolution.