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 Tennessee, the legal authority to consent to medical treatments, procedures, and vaccinations for minor children typically rests with their parents or legal guardians. Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 63-6-222 allows minors to consent to medical care in certain situations, such as when they are married, a parent, or in the military, or when they have been legally emancipated. Additionally, TCA § 68-3-305(b) permits minors who are 14 years of age or older to consent to vaccinations without parental consent, provided the vaccine is recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is available at the location where the minor seeks medical care. However, outside of these exceptions, parental or guardian consent is generally required for medical decisions regarding minors under the age of 18.