On February 7th, the Health & Insurance Committee of the Colorado State Legislature killed House Bill 1029, “Prohibit COVID-19 Vaccine To Minor Without Consent”.
This bill was sponsored by Rep. Brandi Bradley (R), who is also a dedicated healthcare worker and a mother. Rep. Bradley began this committee stating simply that “This bill will protect kids.” House Bill 1029 prohibits the requirement of a COVID-19 vaccine for a minor in Colorado, as well as “administering a COVID-19 vaccine to a child without the informed consent of the child’s parent or legal guardian.”
Rep. Bradley passionately stated that “In the United States, we do not allow children to drive until they are 16 years old. They have to be 18 to go into the armed services. They have to be 18 years of age to be charged as an adult. They have to be 18 to vote. They have to be 21 years to drink alcohol. A child of the age of 12 is not developmentally capable to make a decision regarding an emergency use vaccine that could potentially cause injury, without the informed consent of the child’s parent or legal guardian.”
“When it comes to your family’s health, the states’ role is to make healthcare accessible. Not to force pharmaceutical products on your child or any other unwitting population,” said one proponent of this bill, which would protect against forced vaccination of minor.
Rep. Bradley closed by saying “This bill is to provide the same right to a parent who chooses not to vaccinate his or her child against COVID-19. This bill is to protect parents that want informed consent to enable them to make the best medical decision for their child.”
House Bill 1029 has no downside. It does not prevent anyone from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, nor is it meant to discredit the vaccine. It simply protects the right for a parent to choose. And yet, Democrats shot this bill down in an 8-3 loss.