Why haven’t you had the vaccine?

[TheChosenTwo]

So, this is not in any way intended to be a goady thread. I was reading about the statistics of how many people have now had one and two doses and was curious to see what the number will rise to before everyone that’s been offered it wants to have it.
So, out of pure noseiness, if you haven’t had the vaccine, why haven’t you?
Just to add my own answer to this - a member of my family has refused as they don’t trust the long term effects. Fair enough, I totally respect their decision, it’s not mine to make. Is everyone else who hasn’t had it feeling the same? Or is there another reason?
In 5 years time might you feel better if those that have had it aren’t showing a swathe of the same side effects? Longer than that? Are you planning on having it in the future or is it a total no from you?
As I said, not intending to cause any drama and I really am just asking because I’m curious as to what percentage of the population will end up being vaccinated!

Oh @Pinkallium that seems a bit arse about face!
Do you know how many people had a jab as a clinical trial?

I declined at first because I knew I had antibodies, despite not knowing when I'd had Covid. I had a quantitave antibody test and it found extremely high levels, so I knew at that point the vaccine wouldn't have much to offer me. I re-tested 5 months later and my antibody levels were still waaaaaaay above the level considered to confer protection. As a scientist, I really wanted to keep doing antibody tests so that I could find out how long my antibodies persisted for. But as a pragmatist, I wanted the option of going on holiday later in the year without loads of testing, so I had the jab and will shortly be having the second.

I haven't had it yet. It's so soon.. honestly the people saying it's perfectly safe and it hasn't been rushed are just as neurotic as the 5g anti vaxxer crowd... 2 sides of same coin.

I have had all vaccines basically to date except this but all of those vaccines were in use for years. Definitely not an anti vaxxer. Definitely don't believe there is any conspiracy going on.

I am also not worried about blood clots or any other of these other talked about short term issues as the incident rates are extremely low.

Even if it has gone through all the initial testing there just hasn't been enough time to know if there will be any weird auto immune responses in 2,3,5,10 years... Thats just a matter of linear time.. you can throw as much resources at it as possible but you'll never be able to know that without just waiting for time to elapse. I have an advanced degree in data science and it's all about predicting the future and if we try and extrapolate out 10 years worth of predictions from 1 year of data... The accuracy is very low.

Plus I am in prime physical health, young, normal weight and I already tested positive and was asymptomatic so I really wouldn't benefit anyway.

Will I get it? I honestly think I will be forced to just to participate in society and travel. We will see... but I'll put it off as long as I can.

If I was 50+, not in perfect health, or overweight i would get it without hesitation.

Backing up the OP, I think having a polite and non-combative thread about this is a really good idea. Listening to people is important, and the argumentative threads aren't helpful to anyone.

I'm happy to listen to MNers in a non-judgy way, as I think there are people out there with genuine fears and issues with it, and I'd like to understand them.

My Godson has chosen not to have it. His reason is simply that he doesn't like being told what to do.

I was 38 weeks pregnant when my age group became eligable for the vaccine, so I decided to wait a few weeks until baby was here.
Then I put it off because everyone I know was having fatigue as a side effect and I couldn't face trying to breastfeed a baby every 2 hours whilst fighting terrible fatigue.

Eventually got the vaccine 5 weeks postpartum. However, I am done having kids and I think I would be more hesitant if I was concerned about fertility.

Am in a wheelchair and the only car we have that chair will fit in is not working at the moment. Hoping to be able to afford to get it fixed within next two months. Then will be scheduling shot.

I am yet to have the vaccine for a few reasons, firstly, my second born child is currently an inpatient in a very well known London hospital and we have been here since he was 10 days old; I have barely left his side. Secondly, I want to wait until after my periods come back as I have heard the jab can affect them so I want to have one period at least before I get my first dose as I am yet to get to a doctor for my 6 week check.

I've had it but regret having it this early . Wish I'd waited to see more of the long term effects. Also, we were fooled to believe that the vaccine was the answer to the pandemic- we are still stuck under restrictions despite mass vaccine uptake . I feel like there is no end to this even though we've only injected ourselves with a substance which has been created within a short space of time . I really wish I'd waited longer

I’m not forcing anyone to answer! A few posts saying they’ll bite, don’t if you don’t want!!
Thanks to those who have answered, I’m finding it interesting to see reasons behind it and I’m not judgemental in the slightest. Everyone has the right to make an informed decision for themselves.

To also add,since I've had the vaccine I am constantly fatigue . Regardless how much sleep I get , I exercise 3 times a week and try to relax a lot after work I still feel sleepy. I really regret taking it. It's been two weeks now and I'm just constantly tired.

I haven’t had it , and I’m not sure if I will . I have severe OCD (along with other serious MH issues) and part of that is the fear of contamination and anything entering my body that my brain doesn’t class as “safe” . It’s hard enough to take my needed medication that keeps me stable enough to lead a semi normal life let alone a complete unknown entity . It is what it is , if I could control my OCD I would , however getting any help past increasing my dosage has been impossible for the last year so I just have to accept the risk .

I’m not an anti vaxxer but chose not to have the vaccine. I have many allergies and have been hospitalised to receive treatment & I’m scared of having a reaction, once it’s inside me there’s no going back. My husband has no allergies yet struggled with swollen tongue, hands and feet for several days after having AZ

I've had both of mine. Wish I hadn't though. It's messed up my periods. Which when TTC isn't great, especially when I've already gone through years and years of infertility and had 5 miscarriages once I was able to conceive. The 5th one happening 3 weeks after my first jab

Sorry forgot to add the only reason I had the jabs in the first place is because I'm a Carer and felt forced into having it

@TheSlayer my first period since my first jab started today and it's about a week late, I'm normally so regular I can set a watch by it. I've reported it to YellowCard as the vaccine is the only reason I can see that it would be late. Hoping it will be shorter and not longer like others have said!

@littlejalapeno

I’ll I’ll bite. I’ve been trying to get pregnant and all the stuff about periods has scared me. If I don’t conceive this month I’ll get it and then wait a month before trying again. Time not really on my side so have done a bit of a cost benefit analysis. I will get it and have had all other vaccines including the in pregnancy ones and ones for DS. It’s just a massive unknown regarding fertility. Please don’t give me a hard time. All my close family (parents, PIL, and DS my partner and I) all had Covid last year. My father in Law passed away from it so I’m definitely taking it seriously.

Exact same.

I’ve had both, but I can speak for several family members and friends who are avoiding as pregnant or ttc.

Whether that’s the right thing to do, who knows. I feel for pregnant women at this time it’s a tough call.
The last thing I’d want is covid on my lungs when pregnant. And with long covid who knows what the effect could be in Pregnancy on a developing baby. However I appreciate this vaccine is all very new and I can see why people in this position choose to avoid. It doesn’t seem like much has been done to reassure pregnant women of the safety - perhaps because they can’t? I honestly don’t know but I sympathise.

The others I know of buy into the anti vaccine school of thought.

One other has significant allergies and has decided not too.

Also agree I’m in support of the op.
It’s interesting hearing what people have to say and actually them not being hushed

@TheChosenTwo

Oh *@Pinkallium* that seems a bit arse about face! Do you know how many people had a jab as a clinical trial?

According to this story on the BBC website a few days ago, there are about 40,000 of us: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57566837

That won’t make much impact on the stats. Also, a fair few have had enough of all the pissing about and gone to have an NHS jab anyway. I’m on the brink of doing it myself, to be honest.

I'm uncomfortable with the use of a new vaccine technology (MRNA) with currently no long term data. I'm also not comfortable with Astra Zeneca due to my age and Covid risk profile. The Novavax vaccine is a much more traditional type of vaccine with decades of excellent safety data, so I'm holding out hope for that one. I'm also a bit disturbed by how severely some people seem to be affected by Covid vaccines in terms of side effects. The type of vaccine technology that Novavax uses tends to have extremely mild or absent side effects. The recent thing with women reporting changes to their periods is also worrying me. I'm confused as to how that wasn't picked up on trials. If it was picked up, did they not see fit to list it as a side effect? Even if it's harmless, if they didn't pick up, what else have they missed? I have too many doubts right now to feel comfortable getting one of the current vaccines.

That’s interesting to read. My trial is a different one - for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and there are 6,000 in the same one as me and more in an earlier one.

I haven't had it because I have had Covid and currently have antibodies (I'm paying for regular antibody tests). I have had severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to medication in the past, and actually went to get my first jab but it turned out to be Pfizer and the staff were not happy to let me have it. I am not prepared to risk anaphylaxis again, when I have already successfully fought off Covid and didn't feel any worse than if I'd had a really bad cold + extreme tiredness for a week or so.

No way am I having AZ. Family history of blood clots and strokes (and before anyone asks, no I don't take the Pill or HRT etc as I can't because of said family history).

I'm still in my 40s. If I were 60+ and hadn't already had Covid I would probably feel very differently but based on my own risk assessment I'm happy with my decision at the moment.

I still don't know anybody personally that's had covid yet.. I've not had to take 1 test and neither has my DH or DC .. maybe we had it and didn't even realise who knows .. we may never get it.. I've never had the flu.
I don't feel comfortable having a jab that is likely to give me side affects from something I may never get in the first place. I don't know if that logic makes sense but it does to me atm.

@GeorgiaGirl52

Am in a wheelchair and the only car we have that chair will fit in is not working at the moment. Hoping to be able to afford to get it fixed within next two months. Then will be scheduling shot.

Slight derail, but have you asked your GP about vaccinations for housebound patients or checked if there are any voluntary services who could support you getting to a vaccination clinic? - in my area there were lots of different free services including a taxi company that would provide free transport to and from the vaccination hubs, plus vaccinators seeing patients at home if they had no way of getting out. (Feel free to ignore if you are actually just wanting to wait another couple of months).