Louisiana

As a minor in Louisiana, can you consent to vaccinations?

 

The actual law:

“A.(1) Consent to the provision of medical or surgical care or services by a hospital or public clinic, or to the performance of medical or surgical care or services by a physician, licensed to practice medicine in this state, when executed by a minor who is or believes himself to be afflicted with an illness or disease, shall be valid and binding as if the minor had achieved his majority. Any such consent shall not be subject to a later disaffirmance by reason of his minority.”

            “B. The consent of a spouse, parent, guardian, or any other person standing in a fiduciary capacity to the minor shall not be necessary in order to authorize such hospital care or services or medical or surgical care or services, or administration of drugs to be provided by a physician licensed to practice medicine to such a minor.

            C. Upon the advice and direction of a treating physician, or, in the case of a medical staff, any one of them, a physician or member of a medical staff may, but shall not be obligated to, inform the spouse, parent or guardian of any such minor as to the treatment given or needed, and such information may be given to, or withheld from the spouse, parent or guardian without the consent and over the express objection of the minor.

            D. No hospital and no physician licensed to practice medicine in this state shall incur civil or criminal liability in connection with any examination, diagnosis and treatment authorized by this Section except for negligence.”

LA. Rev Stat tit. § 40:1079.1

What this means:

In Louisiana, minors of any age do not need their parent’s consent to receive any medical care they deem necessary, including vaccinations.

Note: Minors can receive some health care services without parental consent in Title X-funded clinics. Call a nearby clinic to see if they will administer vaccinations without parental consent or your state health department for more information.

Find clinics near you below.

Title-X Clinics

Minors can receive some health care services without parental consent in Title X-funded clinics. Call a nearby clinic to see if they will administer vaccinations without parental consent or your state health department for more information.