This is an operational matter for the health boards in the first instance. The issue of young people between 16 and 18 years of age giving consent to immunisation was one of the matters considered by the national steering group established by the health board chief executive officers to oversee the planning of the meningococcal C immunisation programme. I understand legal advice was obtained by the office for health gain, on behalf of the health boards, indicating that the administration of a vaccine to protect against group C meningococcal disease is covered by the provisions of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act, 1997, section 23 of which allows for any person who has attained the age of 16 years to give consent for any surgical, medical or dental treatment as if he or she were of full age. The legal advice obtained further indicates that it is not necessary to obtain the consent of a parent or guardian in respect of a person who has attained the age of 16 years.
The guidelines for practitioners, including standards of good practice, published by the office for health gain in September 2000 to assist health professionals involved in the meningococcal C immunisation programme recommend that where a young person is consenting to vaccination, they should be advised to inform their parent(s) or guardian(s) accordingly.
