Can a parent force a 16 yo to get a shot if the doctor highly recommends it?

Question

Yesterday i brought my 16 yo to the doctor because she has bad asthma and allergies this time of the year. The doctor said that she should get allergy shots weekly so she becomes more immune to it, but it will be like 2 shots a week. My daughter has a fear of needles and as soon as the doctor said shots she started crying and said that there is no way she'll get the shot. When i ignored her and started asking the doctor more question about it she got angry and ran out of the doctors office, and we fought thw whole ride home. When we got home she was screaming and crying and going ballistic and started cursing at me. I sent her to her room and she slammed the door and i left her there because i wanted her to calm down when i heard no noise i went in and she was sleeping. When she woke up i tried to speak to her calmly but she wouldn't look at me and she put her blanket over her head when i would try to speak to her. What do i do?? Can i force her to get the shot for her own health?? Every time i try to speak to her she ignores me or she turns out having a tantrum HELP

Answer 1

No, you have no license to force a medical procedure on her. She's capable of understanding what it is and does not want it going in her body. This is not a life and death matter, and she should be allowed to decide whether she wants to subject herself to an endless series of elective procedures that may or may not even help her.



That aside, allergy shots are often a scam. I took them for years for an allergy to cottonwood trees and certain seasonal pollens, twice a week, hours spent wasted in the doctor's office for 2 minutes worth of shots. No difference whatsoever. I've heard the same tune from many, many people of all ages, all allergies.

Answer 2

I really don't know about the legal part of it. You might want to ask your doctor he/she might not be willing to give the shots to an unwilling child.



But I see a huge problem far beyond the scope of not wanting a shot. My kids are only 2, they hate getting shots. But when we go to get shots I tell them that they are for their own good and that they will hurt but that I will be there with them the whole time and I will hold them and help them. I don't understand why there was a huge blow out fight. There is never a reason for that.



If she was my kid. I would ask her if she would just try it, if I went with her. I would offer to hold her hand and I would tell her that I wouldn't leave her side. Also there are a few tricks to take the kid's mind off the pain. I like the one we use on animals. You tap the spot where the shot is going to be given several times before you give the shot. It helps. Tap is hard enough to cause a slight stinging with repeated taps but not hard enough to cause any pain. You can also have the nurse put alcohol on the spot and then blow on it. The cold will give that same numbing feeling of tapping the spot over and over again. It helps to keep the kid's mind occupied. Then give the shot really fast and get it over with. If my child really didn't want to try the shots and they were not required for life then I would not force the issue. I would say okay, it's your body if you change your mind let me know.

Answer 3

I don't think you can force her to get the shots. They are not an emergency and they are not life or death. What will you do? Hold her down twice a week and make her take the shots?



It's her call. She can deal with the asthma and allergies or she can try the shots to see if they work. She is definitely old enough to make this choice on her own.

Answer 4

No! and the doctor will not force it on someone her age either, she is to old. It does not matter if she is not 18 the doctor will not go along with anything she will not cooperate with as it would jeopordize the doctor patient relationship, may cause her not to seek health care for other problems etc. You should not have ignored her, big mistake as the visit was about her, her body and health not yours. You probably will not ever be able to go in with her agian if she even goes to a doctor again after this incident. You should have left and let the doctor talk privately with her. Not only does the doctor need your consent to treat but hers as well.

Answer 5

My reply to my daughter? "Fine. You don't have to get a shot. However, I will entertain no additional complaining about your allergies."

Answer 6

yes you can you her parent by law until she is 18 years old or until she is married you have her medical say so.she has no say in it.if she throws a tantrum dont let her work it out PUT THE FEAR OF GOD IN HER!!!

it may be hard for some people to do but above all you make your kids respect your athority in the long run they will respect and love you for your dission its called being a real parent