16-Year-Old Got The COVID Vaccine, But His Mom Didn’t Say It Was OK: Here’s What Happened

A California mom claims her 16-year-old son was given the COVID vaccine shot without her permission or presence at a CVS Pharmacy.

Amanda Arroyo told KOVR, a CBS affiliate out of Sacramento, that her son made the appointment online at a CVS in Davis and later received his COVID vaccine without her consent.

Arroyo told KOVR she found out about the vaccination because her son said, “’My arm hurts,’” and I said, ‘What happened?’ And he was like ‘I had my COVID shot,’ and I was like ‘Wait, what?’”

According to Arroyo, the pharmacist at CVS told her that they were only trying to keep the community safe by vaccinating as many people as possible.

California law requires that minors need their parents’ permission to receive a vaccine. Consent can be given in person, by phone or video, or in writing.

Arroyo maintains that she did none of the above, KSWO, an ABC affiliate out of Lawton, Oklahoma, reported.

“He’s 16 years old, I completely understand that, but I, in no way, shape or form, gave consent for him to get the vaccine, and I was not present when it happened,” she told KSWO.

CVS said it was “aware of the incident” and has spoken to Arroyo, Fox News reported.

In a statement to Fox News, CVS said, “As part of the online registration process, patients are asked to attest that all information provided during appointment set up is truthful and accurate. This includes acknowledgment that parental consent is needed if the patient is a minor. We're committed to complying with all vaccination regulations.”

Arroyo told KOVR she wants the pharmacist to be held responsible for their actions and is concerned that that the same thing may happen to other parents.

“There is a law in place, there are procedures that are not being followed,” Arroyo told the news outlet. “Really concerned at the fact that I don’t know what this is going to do to him.”

It was unclear at the time of writing it the pharmacist will face any consequences for inoculating the teen without parental consent.