California - teens for vaccines

Can minors receive vaccinations in California without parental consent?

For HPV or Hepatitis-B vaccines, minors 12 years and up do not need parental consent. California allows minors to seek preventative care for sexually-transmitted diseases. (Cal. Fam. Code § 6926)

For COVID-19 vaccine, parental consent is required, unless the minor is emancipated (married/on active military duty/court-approved, California Family Code §§ 7002, 7050).

However, in the city and county of San Francisco, self-sufficient minors can also consent to COVID-19 vaccine.

A self-sufficient minor is defined as: age at least 15 years; and living separate and apart from the minor’s parents or legal guardian (regardless of consent of parents/guardian or duration of separate residence); and managing the minor’s own financial affairs (regardless of source of income). (California Family Code § 6922).

Call your county health department and let them know about your situation.

We also recommend our guide to convince your parents. Share with them personal stories of teens getting the COVID-19 vaccine

Note: SB 866 is a bill that is currently in state legislature that aims to expand the rights of California teens, ages 15 and above, to consent to all FDA-approved and CDC-recommended vaccines. Our organization is a co-sponsor of this bill.

How to get the COVID-19 vaccine in California?

Call (833) 422-4255 or easily find a walk-in clinic or book your appointment at https://myturn.ca.gov/. We can help if needed.

Also, good to have your county health department address and phone number.

Got questions on the COVID-19 vaccine? Need to convince parents?

Q & A with doctors on why the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for teens

Our guide to convincing vaccine-hesitant parents

Personal stories of teens getting the COVID-19 vaccine

Are you caught-up on your routine vaccinations?

Vaccinations every teen must know about - Tdap, HPV, Men-ACWY, Men-B, and Flu

**Legal Disclaimer: Information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. Medical and/or legal decisions must be made only in consultation with a professional.