A lot of people feel strongly about whether or not a person should get the vaccine. With the COVID-19 pandemic still going strong, many parents are racing to get their children vaccinated too. However, some parents remain apprehensive about vaccinating their children, citing reasons such as the novelty of the vaccine and potential risks with vaccinating children—especially very young children. Though the choice to get vaccinated is a personal one, many parents are asking what they should do when their ex doesn’t agree on whether or not to vaccinate the children.

File a Motion for Sanctions

A lot of parents share legal custody of a child even if they don’t have exactly 50/50 physical custody of a child. Sharing legal custody means that both parents are involved in making major decisions on behalf of their children. Decisions such as where a child will attend school, medical decisions, and religious decisions often require the agreement of both parents. If you and your ex do not agree over whether or not you’re going to vaccinate your children, you need to file a motion for sanctions. A court will need to help you and your ex decide whether or not your child will receive the vaccine.

Don’t Go Behind Your Ex’s Back

Some parents think that a clever way to get around the court is to simply go behind the other parent’s back and get the child vaccinated. Some parents lie to their exes, claiming that they took the child to get vaccinated when, in reality, the child never was vaccinated. Regardless of how one chooses to go behind their ex’s back, it’s never a good idea. Courts do not look kindly upon parents who are not willing to work with their ex to ensure the child’s best interests are being considered. If you are absolutely convinced of your position on whether or not to vaccinate your child and your ex doesn’t agree, you need to bring your case before the court.

Gather Evidence

Judges want to rule in whatever they think will provide the greatest benefit for the child. For this reason, you should be prepared to show why your stance is in the best interests of the child. You may need to demonstrate why the judge should rule in your favor using qualified sources and/or expert testimony. Having a medical doctor explain why your child should, or should not, receive the vaccine may help your case. It is very important that the sources you’re using to demonstrate your point are peer reviewed, and written by qualified individuals. For example, entertainment news hosts are not qualified sources.

What Is Best for the Child?

In the end, it all comes down to what is best for the child. A judge may rule that the child will get the vaccine if the child needs to be vaccinated in order to continue receiving an in-person education—especially if there’s no one to stay home with the child while they do their classes online. Or, if a child has a medical condition that would be worsened by the vaccine, a judge may decide that the child should not get the vaccine. Unfortunately, the decision to vaccinate has become a highly politicized issue. Try to remember that this issue is solely based on what’s best for your child and nothing else.

Get Legal Help Today

If you need help making the best medical choices for your child while co-parenting, CoilLaw is here for you. Our expert legal team is here to help you protect your family and fight for your rights. If you’re concerned about making joint medical decisions with your ex, contact CoilLaw today.