Oklahoma Senate Bill SB879

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

Public health; prohibiting certain vaccination of an infant without prior written informed consent. Effective date.

Summary

SB 879 would add a new section to Oklahoma law requiring prior written informed consent before a health care provider may administer any vaccine to an infant, including but not limited to the Hepatitis B vaccine. The bill states that the provider must explain any risks associated with the vaccine to the parent or legal guardian before vaccination occurs. The measure also makes infant vaccination voluntary and opt-in only, and prohibits a provider from requiring, or even implying that it is required, that a parent or legal guardian consent to vaccination on behalf of the infant. The bill is framed as an extension of the Parents’ Bill of Rights and would take effect November 1, 2025.

Impact

If enacted, SB 879 would create a new statutory requirement in Title 63 governing infant immunizations and informed consent. It would affect hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other health care providers who administer newborn or infant vaccines by limiting when vaccines may be given and by requiring written parental consent and risk disclosure. The bill would not ban infant vaccination, but it would shift the default from routine administration to explicit opt-in consent.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to reflect a pro-parental-rights, vaccine-choice approach rather than a public-health mandate. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material, so there is no documented debate or formal vote history to indicate broader legislative support or opposition. The bill’s framing suggests support from lawmakers concerned with parental control over infant medical decisions.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the balance between parental consent and routine newborn immunization practices. Supporters would view the bill as strengthening informed consent and parental authority, while critics may argue it could interfere with standard hospital procedures, delay early-life vaccination, and reduce uptake of vaccines such as Hepatitis B that are commonly given shortly after birth. The bill also raises questions about whether providers may discuss vaccination in ways that could be seen as implying a requirement, which could create compliance uncertainty for health care facilities.