Are people right to be worried about the vaccine?

[CutToChase]

I had a "good tempered" argument with DP last night. He says theres no way hes putting something in his body that hasnt undergone all the checks and tests and says that normally vaccines take 20 years to approve.

I think that when I have a choice between a known negative (covid) and an unknown (vaccine) I will always take the unknown.

In response he says people have forgotten a minuscule proportion of people actually suffer from covid. He says this is all about money (however he is a conspiracy theorist...)

What do you think about the vaccine and the speed of it?

Also vote:
YABU = I will not be getting the vaccine
YANBU = I will be getting the vaccine

I'll be getting it. Yeah ok we don't know if there will be any long term side effects but we know the long term effects of covid don't we? I'll take my chances with the vaccine.

It hasn't actually skipped any safety testing either. The sad reality is that this is how quickly most vaccines could be created if you have enough countries and governments willing to throw as much money at it as it takes.

I do think it will be fine but you
Really have no idea do you. I would personally rather wait a couple of years but I'm not high risk or elderly.

whiterabbitsweets mentions a list of questions upthread.
The yellow card reporting system has been around for decades and applies to every single drug and vaccine in existance.
Follow up data collection is a normal part of the introduction of any new product.
Clinical trials never include pregnant or breast feeding women. It is usual to wait for further data before adding those people to the list of recipients. At the point where the risk balance tips in favour of vaccinating pregnant women the guidance and practice will reflect that.
I think a lot of people who know nothing about vaccine production and clinical trials are jumping on perfectly normal protocols as if they are something to be concerned about.
Someone mentioned thalidomide. It is a very useful drug for certain haematological conditions. When it was first used decades ago for pregnancy sickness, nobody knew about the teratogenic effects. It was a tragedy due to ignorance, not an evil plot.
The lessons learned then contributed to the stringent clinical trials we run now.

You only have to remember Thalidomide to see there is some sense in holding back with using new meds until a few years have shown up any issues.

Thalidomide IS NOT A VACCINE!
It was as a result of the thalidomide crisis that resulted in the stringent drug testing we have now.

And really? Wait a few more years??????? How many more will have died as COVID in that time? How many more will be suffering long term effects of COVID in that time?
How many more people will have lost their jobs, their houses, their sanity in that time? How many more people will suffer from mental health issues in that time? Or become seriously ill because routine hospital appointments have been put on hold, and whole are frightened to see their doctor.
I've had enough ( see my user name)
Shame on you all.

I'll get it. I'm an nhs worker so I'll be offered it. I have actually had covid though so I expect I'll have some short term immunity so not in a rush, let the staff with riskier jobs go first (my department doesn't treat patients with known covid). Quite a few of my colleagues are saying they won't get it becuase the long term side effects are an unknown but said they would at some point. The more I read about the vaccine the more I am convinced it will be fine. Its all based on known vaccine technology so shouldn't be surprises and its all happened so fast becuase so much money and resources has been thrown at the problem

If we can get all the vulnerable groups vaccinated as efficiently as possible, hopefully those refusing the vaccine will only affect themselves.
I think we will be well advised to keep up the hygiene measures long term. Colds and flu are down this year, which is a good thing.

I honestly don't know what you are trying to do here. If I remember your previous posts correctly, you're probably going to get this vaccine, so why try to sow seeds of doubt all over the internet. Some vulnerable people may even listen to what you are saying and not have the vaccine. I'm going out on a limb and saying that's 100% the wrong decision.

And I am not going out on any limb by saying it is 100% their decision. It just is. And that is what I am ‘trying to do here’ - remind them of that, because of people like you implying otherwise (even though you know I’m right).

You only have to remember Thalidomide to see there is some sense in holding back with using new meds until a few years have shown up any issues

You do know that thalidomide is still used today? It's not given to pregnant women of course.

It is every person's choice whether to have the vaccine. Having a proper debate on the pros and cons, backed up with reliable sources of evidence (i.e. not swivel -eyed osteopaths on youtube) is fine. But to knowingly try to seed fear into people is immoral.

But to knowingly try to seed fear into people is immoral.

I agree.

@flaviaritt

But to knowingly try to seed fear into people is immoral.

I agree.

Oh please.

Don't you think it's incredibly patronising to tell people they have a choice? You don't think they know that? Some choices are good for you, other people and the wider community and some aren't. Having the vaccine is the former.

@knittingaddict

Don't you think it's incredibly patronising to tell people they have a choice? You don't think they know that? Some choices are good for you, other people and the wider community and some aren't. Having the vaccine is the former.

Given the way some of the anti-vaxxers bang on about how we will be "forced" into taking the vaccine by default, I think it's worth repeating that everyone has the choice.

I voted YABU- simply because I am bottom of the pile. By the time I would be getting THE vaccine, I am sure we'll know a bit more about its effectiveness and have a real insight into the side effects.

So I will be able to make a proper informed decision and not fall for a "this is what you want to hear" media spin. (Or be forced to take part in some mass trial.)

I stand by what I said, that not getting vaccinated is wrong. Not getting vaccinated makes you a bad person. I am sorry, but sometimes the truth needs to be told. Nothing you have said goes any way towards gainsaying this.

And nothing you have said makes this the case either. It is purely your subjective opinion. The law says you are wrong, and people have the right to make this decision for themselves. So bugger your emotional blackmail, and I will continue to point out to those who might not be aware of it, that it has no legal or ethical force beyond your own opinion. For as long as it takes.

Don't you think it's incredibly patronising to tell people they have a choice? You don't think they know that? Some choices are good for you, other people and the wider community and some aren't.

Don’t you think it’s incredibly patronising to tell people what choice is better for them?

Oh please.

I do agree, and I am not the one seeding fear here. I have clearly said the vaccine is likely to be safe.

Of course everyone has a choice. Spreading misinformation is irresponsible and may well contribute to people making a poor choice.

Most people I've spoken to would be happy to take it. I might not be able to for medical reasons but I'll check with the NHS further in time.

Spreading misinformation is irresponsible and may well contribute to people making a poor choice.

That’s true.

@MaryLeeOnHigh I am not refusing to take it because I have an 'I'm alright Jack' attitude. As mentioned previously, I do not feel comfortable taking such a new vaccine without knowing the long-term effect and I am entitled to make that decision.

I would rather risk Covid than risk the potential long-term effects from putting the vaccine into my body, and that is my decision to make.

I have followed every rule since Covid has started and have follow the laws religiously to protect others, please don't act like you know my thought patterns.

I will not be pushed into injecting something into my body I am not comfortable with, sorry if that upsets you.

I've had the vaccine already, had my first dose Tuesday and have an appointment booked for my second. No hesitation at all in getting it