Laws vary from state to state, but many states have laws (statutes) enacted by their state legislatures that determine which persons have the legal authority to consent to medical treatments, medical procedures, and vaccinations (also known as immunizations or inoculations) of minor children (generally under the age of 18).
In Oregon, the consent to medical treatment, procedures, and vaccinations for minor children is generally governed by the parent or legal guardian. However, Oregon law allows minors to consent to certain medical services without parental consent under specific circumstances. For example, Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 109.640 allows minors who are 15 years or older to consent to medical and dental care, including immunizations, without parental consent. Additionally, ORS 109.675 permits minors to consent to treatment for sexually transmitted infections, birth control, and outpatient mental health treatment under certain conditions. It's important to note that while these statutes provide minors with the ability to consent to certain treatments, other medical procedures may still require parental consent unless an exception applies, such as when emergency treatment is necessary and consent cannot be reasonably obtained.