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!

I didn't want it but felt pressured so took it but honestly I'd rather not of taken it

But another reason for taking it is I want to go in holiday with my kids. Already some countries have introduced covid passports

I wanted to go to Barbados but unless you have both vaccines you have to spend 5 days in government facility before being allowed to have your holiday

My nephew lives in UAE and we are visit him and again with out both vaccines you can't even get into the shopping mall. So travel will be issue for the unvaccinated so that's why I did it

But as I say I'd rather not have.

@saraclara

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.

This

I don't want it at least not yet as I'm ttc and we don't know the effects on this. This was before people have started saying its affected there cycles, I wish this was picked up in trials so these people could have made an informed decision.

Regardless of ttc, this is new we don't know the long term effects and that makes me nervous

I'm pregnant and wouldn't get it because the long term effects are unknown I don't care what they say they don't know what it could do to unborn baby, but even if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't be getting it , I've had covid twice it was no more than a slight cough I don't really see the need for it , I don't get the flu jab because I'm not vulnerable each year to it same applies here , seems unnecessary and like I say you don't know any long term effects .

Also for the person ttc we did ivf again for this pregnancy and the doctors there told me I could not get the injection at least 3 months before a natural or assisted pregnancy and not during as they don't know the effects of what it will have.

The older people I know (40+) got the jab for self-centred reasons, either worried about their own health or wanting the option of travelling abroad.

Lots of my friends aged late 20s & early 30s eagerly got the jab 'for the greater good'.

There is not enough evidence yet about the effect of the vaccines on menstrual cycles and the long term impact. I support anyone who wants to make a fully informed decision before agreeing to a vaccine.

Here's a summary of what experts have said about covid-19 vaccines and periods. Abnormal periods are described as "funny periods" and apparently the experience of thousands of women could just be one massive coincidence.

I wish I'd been a bit more cautious to be honest. I'm at least four 'funny' periods in and was like clockwork before.
I haven't finished completing my family but I now read the 'no reported fertility issues' in a slightly more cynical way. It took me months to conceive my first baby, even with my regular ovulation and periods and if f my periods continue to be this erratic conceiving will be hard. And that's assuming it doesn't effect anything other than cycle length.
I was in two minds about having it, but in the end felt bullied enough to do it. If I do then struggle to conceive, even if it's unrelated I will always feel I made the wrong choice.
I'm sure someone will be along in a moment to tell me how wrong I am, but it's very easy to be complacent about it if you're a higher risk group and have finished adding to your family. For my age group the vaccine itself was a risk at least proportional to the virus.

For those of you who haven't had it as your ttc or hoping to in the future did your partner have it?

Thank you OP for starting this thread it's interesting hearing everyone's views

The older people I know (40+) got the jab for self-centred reasons, either worried about their own health or wanting the option of travelling abroad.

Lots of my friends aged late 20s & early 30s eagerly got the jab 'for the greater good'.

I'm pretty sure that young people want to go abroad too. And to go to gigs and festivals and bars and have their lives back.
And while older people were obviously worried because they are more at risk of serious illness and death, they also had the greater good in mind too.

Let's not be ageist about this.

I hadn't because I was pregnant.

I've since had a baby prematurely by emergency CS so I want to give my body a break to fully recover before having the first jab.

No my partner didn't have it either he doesn't want the vaccine so not to do with ttc or the ivf. I think it's completely personal choice if your not at risk from getting seriously ill why bother ? You just have to way up any risks for yourself and make an informed decision.

@saraclara

The older people I know (40+) got the jab for self-centred reasons, either worried about their own health or wanting the option of travelling abroad.

Lots of my friends aged late 20s & early 30s eagerly got the jab 'for the greater good'.

I'm pretty sure that young people want to go abroad too. And to go to gigs and festivals and bars and have their lives back.
And while older people were obviously worried because they are more at risk of serious illness and death, they also had the greater good in mind too.

Let's not be ageist about this.

I made it clear I was talking about people I knew personally. That's just the reasons that were discussed.

Regarding gigs and festivals, Download Fest just did the government pilot festival. All attendees had to do PCR tests regardless of whether they'd had vaccinations or not. My local venue has been hosting gigs for a while now, no need for a vaccine to attend. Do you think venues and festivals will change to only allow vaccinated people?

@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.

I am sorry to hear that, that must be so difficult for you. I hope you are able to get the chair fixed soon for all the things it will mean for your life, vaccination must be the tip of the iceberg.

Does your GP know your situation? Or 119? I don't know if there is anything on offer to give vaccines to those who are housebound but it feels like there should be.

Because I don’t want to.

I havent. Likely won't, although I don't rule it out totally.

I'm not interested in having a vaccine where I don't know the long term side effects.
Happy to take my chances, wait a while and see what happens to those who have had the vaccines.
If the majority of the population are vaccinated, then my risk of getting covid should be very low if the vaccines are effective as they are claiming them to be.. if they end up being ineffective to the virus, or its ever changing variants, then they are pointless anyway.

I am in no way an anti- vaxxer and have had all the other vaccinations, as so my child.

I am young, healthy and not in an at risk group. I am comfortable making my choices about my body, and believe everyone should have this right.

It makes me sad to read about those who had the vaccine because they "felt bullied/pressured" into it.

Nobody should feel this way about the choices they make regarding thier own body and health.

If I get covid, end up and hospital and die, then that was my time to go, my risk to take. If its not covid that kills me, something else will, one day. We all have to die sometime.

My DP, 53, also refused his vaccine.

I've talked to several people through work who hadn't been vaccinated but all now have done so - mostly it was worry about side effects, blood clots especially, and hating drs. Lots of somewhat reluctant people are now getting vaccinated due to delta strain worrying them and the lure of holidays.

I also know anti vaxxers, they are conspiracy theory fans etc - I'm just not engaging with them over it, she's getting more vocal though as most of my friends have now had theirs, despite originally saying they wouldn't. No persuading them, they don't go abroad and have a motor home that's self sufficient, no things to encourage them through the stick approach. That said they also are into prepping, you get the picture

I had my first and reconsidering a second!

I’ve felt terrible since, stiff joints, headaches, runny poo, exhausted, permanent cold and that’s 5 weeks ago

the lure of holidays
I think this is a huge factor in the vaccination rates!

I was only going to get the vaccine if it meant an end to restrictions, but saw on the telly last week Susan Michie from SAGE said they're going to make us wear masks and socially distance forever. So if restrictions aren't lifted even after we get vaccinated, whats the point.

Too scared.
My brother became a Covid vaccine-related death statistic. It can’t NOT scare me now.
We both had survived waves of Covid and Covid in the household. But the vaccine didn’t agree with him. So yeah… too scared and even more scared of being forced to have it.

@TheVanguardSix for your brother.