How would you react if a family member or a friend chose not to have the vaccine?

[Laiste]

Is this going to divide people and friendships?

(i know it's a minority who wont have it, but still ... how do you feel?)

@MrsTerryPratchett

A couple of people at work don't want to. I've let them know my door is open if they want to chat about our respective reasons to gain a different perspective. Other than that, their choice. One is an overweight unhealthy male drinker in his 50s so I do worry.

Still, his choice. I expect him to wear a mask and distance from me though. That's not his choice.

Well you'd also be wearing a mask and observing the social distancing, wouldn't you? Not anybody's choice but a requirement for everybody and the vaccine doesn't negate that.

Not directed at you, MrsTerryPratchett I think expecting people to disclose whether they've had the vaccine or not will go the same way as mask exemption - it will be nobody's business or duty to find out the information.

If people are wearing masks and social distancing, that's all I expect them anybody.

My mum's considering not having it, unless it means she can longer travel to see DH and me (we live overseas) then she will. Fairly selfish decision in my view. I wish she'd just have it. She's fairly healthy but has a couple of underlying health issues. When she first told me (that she might not have the vaccine) I didn't know what to say, but I might try to talk to her about it a bit more. And no, I don't think I should just respect her decision, because based on what she said it does seem to come from a place of ignore/not understanding how science works, how vaccines are funded, developed and tested.

I'm in my 30s, healthy and low-risk. I'll be getting vaccinated as soon as I'm able to. Because low-risk doesn't mean no-risk. And, if it turns out that the vaccine does help reduce transmissions or the emergence of mutations then I also see it as my civic duty to get it.

@CharlotteRose90

People are selfish. I’ve got my appointment booked for next week and I can’t wait. I want the immunity from it and it also effects my job. Quite a lot of countries have said you can not fly there with the vaccination so I wouldn’t be able to do my job working for an airline. Honestly though I will pretty much cut anyone off that’s not had it unless it’s on medical grounds. It’s absolutely hilarious what people come up with as reasons not to have it and it’s those people to blame when lockdown doesn’t end and things won’t go back to normal. Absolute morons.

It's not the people deciding not to have the vaccine who are the morons.

Nobody should be flying anywhere; we're in lockdown and the sooner the airlines close the better the control.

It's really none of your business what other people choose to do beyond wearing a mask and maintaining a distance from you - and you from them.

... it and it’s those people to blame when lockdown doesn’t end and things won’t go back to normal. Absolute morons.
It is laughable that you think the the vaccination stops you carrying the virus and infecting other people. There is absolutely no evidence that that is the case. If the virus continues to spread, it is the idiots who spend the majority of their time out of their home that are to blame. The lockdowns will continue until people learn to do as they're told. The virus will continue to spread until people learn to stop infecting other people, and at the moment if someone think they are not going to do that by having a jab, then that is based on no evidence whatsoever, runs contrary to Government advice, and puts that person in the category of Covidiot.

[quote HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst]@BlueTimes Because if those not at risk don’t have it, the virus won’t become controlled and will mutate so that the vaccines aren’t as effective.
Do you have even the faintest idea how viruses transmit and mutate?[/quote]
Duh... No. But I thought that's what my telebox said?

My oh is a rabid anti vaxxer and won't be having it because of all the crazy reasons you'll have heard about in the news. Still none my business.

It would depend why,

If they were afraid of side effects, or thought they needed it less than other people, I would accept it, even if I didn't agree.

If it was 'the government wants to insert a microchip to control us', it would make me think WTF!

If it was, 'People should be tough and not fear death and not depend on medication!', that really would divide us!

In 2010 Ds2 had a lovely girlfriend who was very anti-vax and against putting any (what she considered) "poisons" into her body,
She took a couple of months leave from work to go touring in Aisa with a friend and of course got sick over there and ultimately died in hospital.
I don't know what she died from, but ultimately her reluctance to take precautions in the form of jabs, was a poor decision.
It makes me wonder if all these refusers feel they are invincable?

It’s already happening people being asked why at work they have chosen to not have the vaccine

Those working in healthcare setting it could possibly impact them should they want to move to another area of work. Bank workers it’s likely to impact

I don't think so, but I do think maybe they don't know how to balance risk vs. reward. I certainly wouldn't go to Asia or Africa without sound advice, preferable from a doctor who actually knew what he was talking about rather than one who was just spouting what the NHS told him he had to say.

@ElliFAntspoo

... it and it’s those people to blame when lockdown doesn’t end and things won’t go back to normal. Absolute morons. It is laughable that you think the the vaccination stops you carrying the virus and infecting other people. There is absolutely no evidence that that is the case. If the virus continues to spread, it is the idiots who spend the majority of their time out of their home that are to blame. The lockdowns will continue until people learn to do as they're told. The virus will continue to spread until people learn to stop infecting other people, and at the moment if someone think they are not going to do that by having a jab, then that is based on no evidence whatsoever, runs contrary to Government advice, and puts that person in the category of Covidiot.

I’ve no doubt at all that I could carry the virus even after being vaccinated but with the vaccine I’ve got more of a chance then the idiots refusing to have it and quite honestly if the people get COVID then they don’t deserve any help from the nhs. We all have to help each other. We’ve all been having vaccines since we were babies but suddenly people won’t have this one. Completely crazy the crap people come up with. Everyone needs to stay at home or keep distance when out but sadly people are selfish and don’t. The virus will never go .

@HazelBite

In 2010 Ds2 had a lovely girlfriend who was very anti-vax and against putting any (what she considered) "poisons" into her body, She took a couple of months leave from work to go touring in Aisa with a friend and of course got sick over there and ultimately died in hospital. I don't know what she died from, but ultimately her reluctance to take precautions in the form of jabs, was a poor decision. It makes me wonder if all these refusers feel they are invincable?

Oh wow that’s quite sad.

Yes I think refusers think they are but they are the first to rock up at hospitals demanding treatment if something comes up or the fact they don’t give a crap that they are infecting others potentially

Why would it impact people working in a bank? Unless you're saying it limits their proportion prospects into positions where they need to travel globally.

Absolutely, if the NHS are saying its safe and everyone should get it, then they should all get it or be relegated to waste-bin careers. I think they have the right to be conscientious objectors, just like you have soldiers in the army who refuse to fight, you should be able to have medical staff that refuse to keep other people safe, and their careers should reflect their stance and the decisions they make in regard to patients' and colleagues' safety.

Once other, countries come up to speed with vaccinations, those people who choose not to, well... your world will just become a lot smaller.

For instance, I was due to go on a trip of a lifetime last April, I would not have been allowed in the destination country without a yellow fever vaccination certificate. I just don't think it will be any different for covid vaccine and travelling. That includes flights. I imagine we will have to prove we have had the vaccine.

I also think this may happen for sporting events, theatres and anywhere you are in close proximity with others.

But it is your choice to limit yourself like this if you so wish. I think when push comes to shove people will slowly change their minds and get vaccinated.

Personally I cannot wait to be vaccinated and hope the UK move on from this ner ner ner ner attitude to vaccinations/EU.... because we're all in this together and I hope we as a country help those in not such a good position as us.

I’d expect the anti vaxxer to pay additional national insurance to cover their higher risk of needing treatment from the NHS.

seriously though, unless they had a good reason (reactions to previous vaccines, advice from their doctor not to have it) I wouldn’t have much time for them at all.

My dd is immuno-suppressed so whilst I would respect their choice I would also expect them to respect my choice to refuse to see them indoors and no closer than 2 metres with face masks etc on outside. I am already NC with my sister because she has put dad's life in danger on several occasions and despite being married to a doctor has no respect or understanding on just how deadly some things can be for dd.

As for my household...im a single parent and dp doesn't live here although we are bubbled. He would never put dd at risk so would be at the front of the queue for it. She is in a childcare bubble with my parents and they are both having it but if not then I would potentially have to give up work as they wouldn't be near her.

Well, you can't give people an App to prove they have a vaccine, because that means it is compulsory that they own a mobile phone and keep the OS up to date on that phone.

And cards won't work because people loose them. So you either need a national ID card system and a central database that tells anyone with access who is and isn't vaccinated and that the person in front of them is is the actual person who has been vaccinated, or something simpler like a badge they can sew onto their shirts or coats.

What would you suggest?

Dd not dad's life

@Chocowally- so would you also expect smokers, drinkers, people who take drugs, or do sport where they might get injured to pay extra too?

Did you see the thing on the news about how the WHO are encouraging the U.K. to pause their vaccine rollout when the vulnerable groups have been vaccinated in order to distribute the vaccine to vulnerable people in other countries?

I think it’s possible that those of us who aren’t in the priority categories are going to have to wait longer than we are currently expecting to wait.

Really @Chocowally? And what other so-called risky behaviour should also be subject to your tax? People who are overweight? How about people who play risky sport? What about people who travel by car? They're all running the risk of being a burden on the NHS. Where do you draw the line?

@Imissmoominmama do you know where the tax for tobacco goes???

@Buddytheelf85

Did you see the thing on the news about how the WHO are encouraging the U.K. to pause their vaccine rollout when the vulnerable groups have been vaccinated in order to distribute the vaccine to vulnerable people in other countries?

I think it’s possible that those of us who aren’t in the priority categories are going to have to wait longer than we are currently expecting to wait.

Well, that all depends on whether you believe people should be helped based on need, or whether us and our friends should get priority because we are rich and f"ck the poor people in other countries.

I for one think this is a world crisis and people should be helped based on risk of death and need.

The minute you say, well its ours, why should we help poor people in other countries, let their countries look after them. The minute you gown that route you become a hypocrite if you believe rich people should help poor people in our own country and net leave then to look after their own families.

I say a life is a life and people should be helped based on need, not how wealthy they happen to be and how wealthy their country is.

[quote Sometimeswinning]@Imissmoominmama do you know where the tax for tobacco goes???[/quote]
It helps the rest of us live healthy lives, gives us access to fertility treatment, looks after our elderly. I for one believe we should thank our smokers for their contribution to mine and my children's health.