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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you would put child forward for the vaccine trial?

340 replies

coulditbeanymorerubbish · 13/02/2021 09:30

So the Oxford vaccine is now to be tested in children as young as six. Would you put your child up for for children?

Everyone calling others stupid for not wanting it can now volunteer their kids! Because, you know... you're so confident that it's perfectly safe and the right thing to do.

OP posts:
Northpole23 · 13/02/2021 12:02

Erm how can I put this kindly to you but this isn’t a childhood disease? If you feel comfortable to do it then by all means do it but OP asked who will put their child forward and I and I know many others will not.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 13/02/2021 12:05

What's a "childhood disease"? You mean a disease that solely affects children? Well, no, it isn't. But children can get it, and children with other health conditions can and have died from it. So I would allow my children to have it to protect themselves and their peers.

HazeyJaneII · 13/02/2021 12:06

@Northpole23

And many children will be put forward, thankfully.

The link is further down the page, if anyone is interested.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 13/02/2021 12:06

Again, I wouldn't allow them to he in this, or any trial, for anything. Is this selfish? Maybe. I am very selfish when it comes to my children, as are most mothers, and would put my children's safety and wellbeing above other people's. Not sure if that's selfish or just being a mum.

HazeyJaneII · 13/02/2021 12:07

covid19vaccinetrial.co.uk/childrens-trial

SpudsandGravy · 13/02/2021 12:09

I wouldn't.

gallbladderpain · 13/02/2021 12:09

@SmeleanorSmellstrop

Again, I wouldn't allow them to he in this, or any trial, for anything. Is this selfish? Maybe. I am very selfish when it comes to my children, as are most mothers, and would put my children's safety and wellbeing above other people's. Not sure if that's selfish or just being a mum.
Any trial, for anything ? So you would refuse experimental clinical trials if your child was unwell? because a lot of medications and treatments in children are just that. We are currently on medication not approved for children, this benefits your children should they ever need the same !!
DenisetheMenace · 13/02/2021 12:09

Northpole23

Erm how can I put this kindly to you but this isn’t a childhood disease? If you feel comfortable to do it then by all means do it but OP asked who will put their child forward and I and I know many others will not.“

Not at the moment. If a future variant affects children though, as did the Spanish ‘flu in the 1919 second wave, we will need a defence ready.
Presumably, if it does mutate and kills children, you would want to protect yours?

Thislittlefinger123 · 13/02/2021 12:10

Cornettoninja that's a very good point. I guess it's because they're established illnesses and vaccines? I had them all as a child so was happy for DC to have them. Having a covid vaccine for DC right now seems a little early, seeing as at present it wouldn't affect them catching covid (imo) and both the illness and vaccines are likely to be in a state of flux for quite some time? If that makes sense.

squeekums · 13/02/2021 12:10

Not a chance in hell
I dont get why anyone would
What if your kid has a reaction that kills or disables. Then it's your own fault your kids life is ruined or worse over

Hibernatingnation · 13/02/2021 12:10

No I wouldn't. Children don't need the vaccine, it protects those who have it not those around them so why would they need it when it is available to adults?

percypetulant · 13/02/2021 12:18

Children don't "need" the rubella vaccine. It's to protect their future fetuses, and the fetuses of those they come in to contact with. Children also don't "need" the flu vaccine. But it's best for society, and therefore them, to have these safe, effective vaccines.

Cornettoninja · 13/02/2021 12:19

@Northpole23

Erm how can I put this kindly to you but this isn’t a childhood disease? If you feel comfortable to do it then by all means do it but OP asked who will put their child forward and I and I know many others will not.
‘Childhood diseases’ as we refer to them came about because older generations had already had them so there was some immunity in the older age groups, then came vaccinations which provided further protection to younger age groups without infection. They’re classed as childhood diseases because we’re constantly having children with no immunity who are vulnerable to those particular infections, both becoming sick and spreading infections.

Childhood diseases isn’t referring to whether a particular age group becomes ill or not.

mrsanflowerpot · 13/02/2021 12:22

I have a CEV child, I'm in education, DH on frontline NHS and living away from home, older DC worrying about return to school and bringing something home. Until there is a vaccine for children our lives will continue to be on hold. Yes, I would.

choosername1234 · 13/02/2021 12:23

Yes, I have tried to sign up this morning. Both DH & I have been vaccinated (frontline NHS) and all grandparents have had it (age). DS wants to be vaccinated And I trust the scientists to make a trial as safe as scientifically possible

Watchingbehindmyhands · 13/02/2021 12:24

Yes. I have an covid-anxious type 1 child so if he expressed an interest, I would allow it. Even thinking he might have the vaccine and be protected would probably improve his mental health at the current time.

BlowDryRat · 13/02/2021 12:26

Yes, I would. Off to Google...

Sheepies · 13/02/2021 12:26

I find this a tricky one. I signed up for trials (but wasn't selected), and it is was simply my choice then yes I would let DS take part from a science point of view. But, I also believe in body autonomy, and as DS cannot currently make an informed decision himself on whether he wants to take part, I feel uneasy. After he was born I did get a letter asking if he would be able to take part in a vaccine trial for something else, I said no then as he was a newborn and had the same concerns over consent.

Sheepies · 13/02/2021 12:27

If he was a bit older and could make a choice, I would support it though if he was keen to be involved.

Itsjustricemichael · 13/02/2021 12:28

covid19vaccinetrial.co.uk/childrens-trial

Itsjustricemichael · 13/02/2021 12:29

Thanks to @cavernousscream for the first post... looks like this link will need to get posted every page or two!

TheReluctantPhoenix · 13/02/2021 12:31

Some people are very strange about vanishingly rare vaccine side effects, which they worry about whilst being very blase about far commoner (although still rare) serious effects of the underlying disease.

I would be happy for my children to ‘risk’ a vaccination as opposed to the risk of getting COVID abs being really quite ill. I appreciate that long Covid is not common in children, but nor is it that rare. Maybe 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000 may get long Covid, but more like 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100,000 (probably the latter) are going to get more than a sore arm or a short term low grade fever from the vaccine.

And that is aside from the overwhelming likelihood that vaccinated people will not infect others (or far fewer), so vaccinating children helps all of society.

Toddlerteaplease · 13/02/2021 12:32

Yes, if I had any.

tigger1001 · 13/02/2021 12:34

It's an interesting question as I can imagine parents with vulnerable children will want the vaccine approved as soon as possible, and I can understand why.

But for me, I wouldn't put my younger child forward for the trial - he isn't old enough to consent and I am not comfortable making that decision for him.

My eldest is coming up for 15. If he wanted to take part I would sit down with him and have a full conversation around it and look at the information together so he could make an informed decision. If he still wanted to take part, I would support him

itsgettingwierd · 13/02/2021 12:37

@CavernousScream

covid19vaccinetrial.co.uk/childrens-trial

Unfortunately we aren’t in one of the trial areas so can’t sign up.

My ds hospital he sees his neuro is. But they are doing 6-11yo.

Hopeful though that means 16yo may be able to have AZ if I ask as we don't think he can have pfeizer and he's group 6.