Bronx mother claims school gave HPV vaccine to son without permission

A Bronx mother says her 11-year-old son was given an HPV vaccination without her permission during a routine trip to the school nurse’s office.

News 12 Staff

Jun 11, 2019, 11:13 PM

Updated 1,799 days ago

Share:

A Bronx mother says her 11-year-old son was given an HPV vaccination without her permission during a routine trip to the school nurse’s office.
Roxsanna Gautreax says she was told over the phone by the nurse at The New School for Leadership and the Arts that her son had been accidentally injured and needed ice for his face.
When her son came home from school, she noticed a bright green Band-Aid on his arm. The boy then explained that the nurse gave him a shot.
“I never gave her permission in that phone conversation,” she says. “Vaccination was never discussed.”
The middle school uses nurses from the Morris Heights Health Center, which operates in 20 Bronx schools and serves more than 10,000 students from K-12.
Along with the injection, the Bronx mom says her son was also handed a pamphlet on HPV. She claims her son was also asked about depression and the family's drinking habits – questions Gautreax believes are inappropriate for a sixth grader.
She says her son's school immunizations are up to date and that there was no reason for her child to be given a vaccination shot.
Through a statement, the Department of Education told News 12 that it is investigating the matter.
Gautreax says an administrator from the medical center told her that she would review proper protocol with the nurse.
She says that the disciplinary action doesn’t go far enough.
“You violated my child's body,” says Gautreax.
The Department of Education says they are investigating the matter. News 12 also reached out to Morris Heights Health Center for a statement.


More from News 12
1:54
STORM WATCH: Cooler, dreary conditions with spotty showers for NYC

STORM WATCH: Cooler, dreary conditions with spotty showers for NYC

0:39
Police: 15-year-old boy slashed in back of the neck at Williamsbridge high school; 17-year-old in custody

Police: 15-year-old boy slashed in back of the neck at Williamsbridge high school; 17-year-old in custody

0:32
Mayor Adams to host 'rat summit' in NYC later this year

Mayor Adams to host 'rat summit' in NYC later this year

1:47
Will subway security scans make the Bronx community feel safer? Community and Legal Aid Society weight in

Will subway security scans make the Bronx community feel safer? Community and Legal Aid Society weight in

0:27
Police: 21-year-old man arrested for stabbing woman 6 times with an ice pick in Starrett City

Police: 21-year-old man arrested for stabbing woman 6 times with an ice pick in Starrett City

Traffic moving on George Washington Bridge following earlier delays due to police activity

Traffic moving on George Washington Bridge following earlier delays due to police activity

0:41
Gov. Hochul: Paid prenatal leave policy to go into effect in 2025

Gov. Hochul: Paid prenatal leave policy to go into effect in 2025

0:18
Aldi recalls 4 types of cream cheese over potential salmonella risk

Aldi recalls 4 types of cream cheese over potential salmonella risk

2:10
Garden Guide: Follow these tips for perfect azaleas!

Garden Guide: Follow these tips for perfect azaleas!

3:05
Bronx teacher fired for alleged inappropriate relations with students in 2020 working at another Bronx school

Bronx teacher fired for alleged inappropriate relations with students in 2020 working at another Bronx school

2:10
Bystander, store clerk share story of being trapped inside bodega with armed robbers while bodega owner sought police

Bystander, store clerk share story of being trapped inside bodega with armed robbers while bodega owner sought police

2:04
NYPD says it is investigating pattern of teen robberies near Claremont Park

NYPD says it is investigating pattern of teen robberies near Claremont Park

1:51
Bronx taxi driver shares story of being shot by passenger

Bronx taxi driver shares story of being shot by passenger

1:36
Operation Padlock: How the crackdown on illegal smoke shops is going one week in

Operation Padlock: How the crackdown on illegal smoke shops is going one week in

1:36
FDNY aiming to increase its diversity with latest recruitment campaign

FDNY aiming to increase its diversity with latest recruitment campaign

0:23
Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz honored in New York state capitol building

Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz honored in New York state capitol building

0:53
New York City students learn to bring food from farm to table

New York City students learn to bring food from farm to table

1:59
NYPD officer accused of causing fatal crash in Kingsbridge Heights returns to court

NYPD officer accused of causing fatal crash in Kingsbridge Heights returns to court

0:55
MTA to provide 60 new zero-emission buses for commuters

MTA to provide 60 new zero-emission buses for commuters

0:31
Survey: New York City ranks No. 12 on top summer travel destinations

Survey: New York City ranks No. 12 on top summer travel destinations