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?)

The only person I know of who has outright said they won't have it is my DPs aunt. Yes I am judging her and will be less inclined to be around her. Not because she isn't entitled to her views, but because her views are sending crackpot youtube videos around the family, telling us we're brainwashed when she is presented with actual facts / science, debunking the utter insanity she is spouting. If she had properly researched her concerns etc. I may feel differently.

I would not even ask or bring it up. Not my business.

@NotFabulousDarling

I really couldn't bring myself to care.

This

It'd be nothing to do with me.
I'm not anti vaccine, I'd have it if I was eligible (I'm way down the list at the mo!)
People should be free to make their own choices, bodily autonomy and all that.

I would think they were selfish. Vaccinations only work if enough people have them.

I also think it would be foolish as it wouldn't be based on evidence.

But... I'd probably just avoid the topic. I wouldn't fall out with them over it unless they continually brought it up.

I would distance myself from them if it was a friend, close family I guess I'd have to get over it.

I know some who won't. I've told them I've had it and why and tried to reassure them its safe, but ultimately its their own choice. My colleagues saying no I don't feel I can argue with them, if my parents did than I would I think!

@GintyMcGinty what about if they had a legitimate reason not to? I have been offered a vaccine because of my job however was told not to have it but the nurse offering when I disclosed we were actively trying for a baby. I'm not anti vaccine at all

Wouldn’t bother me to much unless that person is a carer,
But I suspect more people will have it as not as some countries may insist on vaccine before entry in a few years

@yellowspot what about if they had a legitimate reason not to?

Totally different.

Its because there are people that have legitimate medical reasons for not being vaccinated (pregnancy, allergies, cancer, auto-immune disease, etc) that the rest of us have a civic duty to be vaccinated in order to get herd immunity to protect people these people.

What?! Not at all? Why would it?

I’d respect their choice. How concerned I’d be would depend on what their reasons were for declining. I’ve had family members who had side effects from other vaccines so I don’t think it’s a straightforward thing. But if they were worrying about being microchipped I’d be be concerned for their state of mind.

Ultimately I’d respect their choice but expect them to respect my choices too in terms of whether I should mix with them.

I wouldn't feel anything in particular. Medical treatment is each person's informed decision to make for themselves.

My dad and I won't be having it. My mum (my parents aren't together) and one of my sisters will be having it. Not sure about my other sister.

I know a few people who won’t be having it. I can’t find the energy to get worked up about it. It’s their choice, not mine.

I’d respect their choice.

I have unfriended anti-vaxxers as it has made me realise we don't share the same values. Its just so anti-social not to vaccinate I just don't want people like that in my life.

This. Also I am drawn to intelligence in friends and the arguments against vaccination are frankly quite stupid.

I've never even discussed with people if they've had a flu vaccine and I know lots of people dont bother, why would I even know or ask if people have had it.

If you dont want the vaccine dont have it I cant see how it would impact my life at all, unless lots of people didnt get it and the NHS kept getting overwhelmed every year.

I've had mine and most people I know have had it or will have otbas soon as they can, my mum is struggling as she doesnt know her NHS number. She called her GP and they wont give her it without a photo driving license or a passport and she doesnt have either so she has to wait until her age gets called which is frustrating as she is in a patient facing role

Completely their choice and I’d respect it but I wouldn’t see them either. Me, my mum and my dad are all cev and luckily so are my close friends so are having the vaccine. We have already said those that don’t have it we won’t see much or would keep distance from

None of my close family would refuse it. Several of them volunteered for the trials so I can't see them rejected it now its approved!

[quote ImnotCarolineHirons]@evouk these current vaccines don't make you "immune". You can still catch COVID. It's more likely to reduce the severity of the disease if you do get it, but none of them are a 100% guarantee. [/quote]
Exactly.

I’m a Doctors so I’d be pretty annoyed. I find if people have questions re the research, what’s in them, effectiveness etc then taking the time to explain can help. However if they have watched a you tube video and believe they have been made by Bill Gates, contain microchips and can track your location they there is no hope for them.

I don't feel anything.
People will and can think for themselves. They will have their own reasons for not wanting the vacinne.

I expect people to respect my decision to have it as I respect theirs not to.

I don't think I'd be able to hold it against anyone. Unless I am mistaken, under 16s without a CEV status will not be vaccinated, and anyone who has had a vaccine can still pass on Covid despite them not being in danger themselves.

If both of those things are true, how could I judge?
I have friends who have had Covid, and have described it as nothing more than a cold with an added cough. I understand why they don't want it because they don't believe they are in danger.
As soon as I can have the vaccine, I'll jump at the chance.

I think that the only person I'd get upset at not having it is my husband but he's as excited for the jab as me.
I'd be upset at DD not having it too if she had a choice, but I don't think she will be offered it for a while yet, so I'll try not to think about that one!

Sounds harsh, but I would be reconsidering such a friendship. There are certain viewpoints that I cannot get on board with at all. Anti-vaxxers are in that category.

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.