LA school allegedly vaccinated students without parental consent in exchange for pizza

A mother in Los Angeles has said her son had been vaccinated at school without her consent after he was offered pizza.

Maribel Duarte told NBC 4 News her 13-year-old came home with a vaccine card after saying yes to being vaccinated in exchange for pizza at the Barack Obama Global Prep Academy school in South LA.

“The lady that gave him the shot and signed the paper told my son, ‘Please don’t say anything. I don’t want to get in trouble.’” Duarte told NBC Los Angeles, adding that “It hurt to know he got a shot without my permission, without knowing and without signing any papers for him to get the shot.”

Duarte said that she is not against the vaccines and is vaccinated herself but she expected to be asked for permission, especially since her son has “problems with asthma and allergy problems,” she told the news outlet.

According to NBC Los Angeles, the school district declined to provide details, “The LAUSD says student matters are confidential and wouldn’t comment specifically, but did say its ‘safe schools to safe steps incentive program’ is meant to ensure several steps are in place for vaccinated students to receive prizes.”

“The science is clear, vaccinations are an essential part of protection against COVID-19,” Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly said. “The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and requiring eligible students to be vaccinated is the strongest way to protect our school community.” According to the LAUSD’s September statement announcing the vaccine mandate.

“To date, Los Angeles Unified’s robust safety measures include daily health checks for everyone going onto school campuses, masks, comprehensive COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and isolation of cases, hand sanitizer, increased sanitization/cleaning of schools and upgraded ventilation. This additional step provides another layer of safety in schools.”

Senator Ted Cruz however Tweeted his disdain about this event. “Absolutely appalling. The government should not be circumventing parents like this. Parents need to know (and consent) to their child getting the vaccine.”