Slovak Divorced Father Takes Ex-Wife to Court Over Children's Vaccinations

A Slovak father has turned to the courts to resolve a vaccination dispute with his ex-wife, who has refused to consent to several mandatory and voluntary vaccines for their three children. The man, identified only as Ján, sought to have his nearly 15-year-old daughter vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a vaccine widely recognized as effective in preventing cervical cancer. When he contacted the family's pediatrician to schedule the appointment, the doctor informed him that the mother's consent was also legally required — consent she has so far withheld. The case highlights a growing challenge faced by Slovak courts and medical professionals when divorced parents hold opposing views on vaccination. In Slovakia, certain childhood vaccines are compulsory under law, but when parents share custody and disagree, neither parent can unilaterally authorize medical procedures, leaving doctors caught in the middle and children without protection. Courts are increasingly being asked to adjudicate such disputes, raising broader questions about parental rights, children's health interests, and the legal enforceability of vaccination requirements in cases of family breakdown.