A v Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council [2025] EWFC 224 (09 June 2025)

A v Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council [2025] EWFC 224 (09 June 2025)

There was no cogent medical evidence of contraindication to vaccination in C's case, no procedural unfairness in the process adopted, and the local authority is entitled to arrange for C to receive routine vaccinations in accordance with public health guidance.

Citation
[2025] EWFC 224
Parties
Applicant Father: A; Respondent Local Authority: Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council; Respondent Mother: B; Respondent Child: C (a child, by her Guardian)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
09 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Family Court Public Law Children / Final Hearing on Application for Injunction and Declaration Regarding Vaccination
Outcome
Application for injunction refused; declaration granted in favour of the local authority.
Legal Topics
Parental Responsibility, Vaccination of Children in Care, Inherent Jurisdiction, Care Orders, Medical Treatment of Children
Family Law Child Law Public Health Law Parental Responsibility Vaccination of Children in Care Inherent Jurisdiction Care Orders Medical Treatment of Children

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Parties

A

Applicant Father

Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

Respondent Local Authority

B

Respondent Mother

C (a child, by her Guardian)

Respondent Child

Procedural Posture

Family Court Public Law Children / Final Hearing on Application for Injunction and Declaration Regarding Vaccination

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the local authority may administer routine vaccinations to a child in care against parental objection
  2. 2 Whether there is procedural unfairness in the process adopted for medical evidence
  3. 3 Whether there is cogent evidence of contraindication to vaccination

Ratio Decidendi

There was no cogent medical evidence of contraindication to vaccination in C's case, no procedural unfairness in the process adopted, and the local authority is entitled to arrange for C to receive routine vaccinations in accordance with public health guidance.

Court Disposition

Application for injunction refused; declaration granted in favour of the local authority.

Orders

  • The local authority is permitted to arrange for C to receive routine vaccinations as recommended by UK public health guidance.
  • Application for an injunction prohibiting vaccination is refused.