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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:
JustFrustrated · 13/02/2021 12:37

I just asked my 8 and 11 year olds, and they both said they'd love to volunteer to be in the trial.

We discussed why and both of them said to help otjer people. The 8 year pointed out that they're never poorly so better them than others.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 13/02/2021 12:39

It’s worth vaccinating them so they don’t pass it on to vulnerable people who can’t have the jab. I can’t decide if I would put them forward though...

BigWoollyJumpers · 13/02/2021 12:51

@Happycat1212

Absolutely not. And I will not be vaccinating my children to protect others either, not when he has little to no affect on them. Nope!
Yet. What if the virus mutates to become more virulent in the under 18's.

Would you then take the risk? I think you would.

Thewordgame · 13/02/2021 12:59

No way, one of the reasons being she has a huge phobia about needles, the other is that why??? It doesn’t affect children the way it does adults, including the other strains so far so really why???? Again. We really do not know the long term affects of a new vaccine until it has been taken long term so why on earth give it to children when they are really almost unaffected by covid? FWIW I will be having it as it poses a much higher risk to me but really, children??

RedMarauder · 13/02/2021 13:00

Mines too young.

She was involved in the trial last year to test young children for Covid before the NHS routinely allowed young children to be tested.

If she was in the right age group "Yes" but then myself, my extended family and close friends have all taken part in various clinical trials.

Crazycatlady83 · 13/02/2021 13:02

@JustFrustrated you must be very proud of your lovely children!

Happycat1212 · 13/02/2021 13:02

*Yet.
What if the virus mutates to become more virulent in the under 18's.

Would you then take the risk? I think you would.*

I’m taking no Covid vaccine and neither are my kids, no matter what. I’m just not convinced at all. There’s lots of things we could die of, I take my chances.

Happycat1212 · 13/02/2021 13:03

I’m not having the vaccine either.

Knotmyname · 13/02/2021 13:06

No, but I won't be having the vaccine myself. I'm not allowed at the moment (pregnant), but for the time being neither my partner nor I will be having it anyway.
And I'm not an anti-vaxxer, all our other vaccines are up to date and son's have all been done to schedule (as will new baby).

Hetilia · 13/02/2021 13:07

I presume you don't go on holidays abroad then happycat or to things likes concerts etc where there's large gatherings of people.

Happycat1212 · 13/02/2021 13:10

No I’ve never been to a concert, and I’ve not been on holiday abroad for over 10 years.

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 13/02/2021 13:10

When it gets to stage 3, yes. Without a doubt.
Unfortunately, my son is too young, so we'll have to wait till it's approved and we get it normally.

Oysterbabe · 13/02/2021 13:11

@Thewordgame

No way, one of the reasons being she has a huge phobia about needles, the other is that why??? It doesn’t affect children the way it does adults, including the other strains so far so really why???? Again. We really do not know the long term affects of a new vaccine until it has been taken long term so why on earth give it to children when they are really almost unaffected by covid? FWIW I will be having it as it poses a much higher risk to me but really, children??
To reduce transmission in the community and protect everybody.
makingitupaswegoon · 13/02/2021 13:13

Absolutely not and wouldn't be vaccinating either without a lot more information. The way children are denied the chickenpox vaccine in the UK has changed my thinking completely about vaccines.

WanderingMilly · 13/02/2021 13:16

I would have considered this when my children were young (they are adults now). I'd like the Oxford vaccine when my turn comes, happy enough by what I've read (research, not Facebook!) to think that it would be fine for children too. I've taken part in other medical research in the past and know that these things are never done without a whole load of information being given and the risks outlined. I would also talk it over with my child, whatever their age, in an age-appropriate way.
I do think that eventually we need to vaccinate everyone, including small children, if we are going to live with COVID in the future without it affecting normal life....and therefore such research does need to be done.

Fembot123 · 13/02/2021 13:18

@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.
I think it is selfish but I’m exactly the same, I don’t judge people who are putting their kids forward in fact we owe them a debt of gratitude but I just don’t feel brave enough, I’m being 100% honest, it’s not that I think my kids are more important than anyone else’s to anyone other than us I’m just scared. Without people who know a bit more about the science putting themselves and their children forward throughout the ages we’d be screwed.
Dustyhedge · 13/02/2021 13:19

If you asked the question about adult trials then you’ll get varying responses. I wouldn’t personally join a clinical trial as a healthy adult with a young family. The potential risks while small would not make trial participation worth it for me. Am I thankful for others who are willing?- of course absolutely!

For my children; there is an extension of that. One day they will inevitably be vaccinated against covid and that can only be a good thing. I’m afraid I would take a selfish stance though and I wouldn’t enrol them in trials if they were older then yes I’d consider it but I’ve got under 5s. One has had covid extremely mild flu and the other was seemingly immune or 100% asymptomatic. If my children were clinically vulnerable then I’d have a different view of trials and would be more likely to participate.

GappyValley · 13/02/2021 13:20

@Happycat1212

Your username is pretty ironic. You sound like you lead a pretty miserable existence

Fembot123 · 13/02/2021 13:23

@Happycat1212

*Yet. What if the virus mutates to become more virulent in the under 18's.

Would you then take the risk? I think you would.*

I’m taking no Covid vaccine and neither are my kids, no matter what. I’m just not convinced at all. There’s lots of things we could die of, I take my chances.

So it starts killing children and you’d decide for your children not to protect them against it?
Angel2702 · 13/02/2021 13:24

@Suzi888

No, why vaccinate for something that an overwhelming majority of people recover from. Hmm
Because if we allow it to constantly circulate we will have more and more mutations that could lead to the vaccine not working. If we don’t vaccinate children they will constantly have their education disrupted.

I can’t see how any mutations that come about by mainly circulating around children would be good. I would be more worried about a strain that targets or affects children more than the vaccine that’s already been trialled.

Happycat1212 · 13/02/2021 13:27

Lots of things can kill children 🙄 why is this one so special

Miserable existent sorry but I forgot this is Mumsnet we can’t all afford luxury holidays abroad! Haven’t been able to afford one for 10 years , people can enjoy life without going abroad, and as for concerts they are not my thing!

Frazzledmum55 · 13/02/2021 13:31

@coulditbeanymorerubbish how can you be sure covid doesn’t effect fertility on the same grounds though?

Fembot123 · 13/02/2021 13:34

@Happycat1212

Lots of things can kill children 🙄 why is this one so special

Miserable existent sorry but I forgot this is Mumsnet we can’t all afford luxury holidays abroad! Haven’t been able to afford one for 10 years , people can enjoy life without going abroad, and as for concerts they are not my thing!

Nothing, so presumably your children aren’t vaccinated at all then?
Witchcraftandhokum · 13/02/2021 13:34

Yes, I absolutely would. Also if it's decided that children should have it I would support putting restrictions around school attendance for children whose parents choose for them not to have the vaccination. Please note I said choose, I'm aware that some may not be able to have it.

I would also support this for children whose parents do not vaccinate them against other things.

Stickytreacle · 13/02/2021 13:35

Yes, my daughter had a life threatening illness a sa two year old and took part in clinical trials of new drugs. Those drugs are now saving children's lives and improving quality of life.
If the majority of the population is vaccinated we stand a chance of normal life. Lockdowns and economic hardship are more likely to cause harm to children than a well used vaccine.