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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to turn down the jab?

129 replies

Twistiesandshout · 17/02/2021 09:57

Another Covid one sorry but am genuinely unsure. I am breastfeeding 10 month old dd. I have the option of booking my jab. Not ready to stop feeding yet due to many reasons.

Official guidance changed in late Jan to say breastfeeding mums can have the jab.

What would you do?
YABU - to turn down jab
YANBU - to turn down jab

OP posts:
Camomila · 17/02/2021 11:50

Its up to you, I plan to have it when they get round to healthy young adults (summer? autumn?) even if I'm still breastfeeding DS2 then - he'll be about 18m.

I would like to see my GM abroad again, and have her meet DS2 and if I need a "vaccine passport" to do it I am happy to.

RebeccaCloud9 · 17/02/2021 11:54

For me, if I was too nervous about having the jab and BF, I would stop BF and have the jab! (not my advice, just saying what I would do if I were in your position)

MyFloorIsLava · 17/02/2021 11:58

In the UK:
4 million covid cases, 118k deaths, massive numbers of people severely ill with long term complications

15 million doses of the vaccine, no reported deaths or very serious reactions in the UK (god knows it would be all over the news), excellent protection against a potentially very serious illness at the cost of maybe some sort lived aches and chills.

The numbers say get the vaccine.

Somethingsnappy · 17/02/2021 11:58

Interested in the replies! I'm undecided.
What did your consultant say against it OP?

LetsAllSpeakScience · 17/02/2021 11:59

You've already been given loads of good advice, so I won't repeat the science, but I would absolutely have it if feeding a 10 month old. By that age your milk isn't their full food souce and they spend their time mouthing dirty things, they aren't in their sterile newborn bubble anymore!

Personally, I'd wait until my baby is at least 3-4 weeks, simply because there are often side effects from the vaccine and feeling ill, exhausted and achy (even if only for 24 hours) with a brand new baby is no fun. After that, I'd be down there as soon as there was an appointment.

DianaT1969 · 17/02/2021 12:01

You are young to be offered the vaccine now. Why are you in a high priority group? That would determine my decision. For example, a HCP who is regularly exposed to Covid or who works in the community, versus a HCP admin worker who WFH and is on maternity for another couple of months.

Ginfilledcats · 17/02/2021 12:05

I had my first vaccine about 5 weeks ago, got my next booked for and of May, and currently sat feeding my 8m old. No problems or side effects for either of us.
I did a lot of research before deciding to go ahead from the companies, RCOM, NHS guidelines etc.
The only reason it was originally said not for bf mothers is because a cohort of bf mothers weren't tested on specifically. That's true of a cohort of all sorts of things/conditions.

My best friend is a gp who is still bf her 18m old, and she's had the vaccines too

Nanny0gg · 17/02/2021 12:08

What was your friend's reasoning?

Nnameechanged · 17/02/2021 12:10

I'm pregnant and will, all going to plan, be breastfeeding again too.
I won't be having it for the foreseeable, at least. My midwife advised me to avoid it during pregnancy, but I'd rather wait to see if further side effects emerge before I have it.
We've had covid though, and I'd be interested in finding out whether I still have antibodies and if they'll provide any sort of protection.

shouldistop · 17/02/2021 12:11

I'm breastfeeding and I'd take it.

Timbucktime · 17/02/2021 12:12

@NewScone

They've said it's safe. They are very careful with things like that. Last thing they would want would be load of compensation claims in the future
I thought the government had given legal immunity to the companies supplying the vaccine and the people giving it. So the media said last year. My friend is a nurse and has been administering the vaccine and was told similar.
Fiona2020 · 17/02/2021 12:14

I’m kind of feeling the same. We are looking at trying for a baby this year and it makes me wonder if I want that in my body. I’ve already had covid and it wasn’t that horrendous. Not sure if I think it’s worth the risk at the moment.

NewScone · 17/02/2021 12:14

Timbucktime
Oh! That's news to me thank you!

OrraBoralis · 17/02/2021 12:15

Just saying, your options for us to vote are both Turn down the jab. If I had a vote it would be take the jab. It is like the flu jab that millions of people the world over get every year. Covid 19 is just another virus that will be controlled. Have the jab and help protect everyone.

barnhen · 17/02/2021 12:17

Given you've already breastfed her for 10 months, if you're not comfortable getting the jab and continuing to breastfeed, it makes sense to prioritise getting the jab. Then, she's already had the benefit of breastmilk for 10 months, and her mother reduces her risk of dying. That's not a bad setup.

You have to weigh up the pros and cons and the risks - if you're at higher risk for Covid, is that a more critical factor than the health benefits of breastfeeding DD for longer? Probably.

You don't have to explain your reasons for wanting to continue to breastfeed here, but I would encourage you to reflect on those and if those reasons really are a deal-breaker. Formula is still healthy, you can still have snuggles and bonding time with your baby, and ultimately, your baby is not going to remember how long she was breastfed for, but she will have a lasting memory of growing up without a mother, or with a mother who never recovered fully from long Covid.

I suppose if you're limiting your contact with the outside world anyway, you may feel your risk of catching Covid is reduced, so breastfeeding still takes priority. But you're going to have to compromise on something, so lots of things to reflect long and hard on.

It's so difficult - everything is always tested on adults with no medical conditions first. The vaccine might be perfectly safe for breastfeeding mothers, but there surely won't be that much data available yet to prove it. Either you take the leap of faith with the vaccine, you become a hermit, or you change your breastfeeding plans. They're all perfectly viable options and I wish it was easier for you to know what makes the most sense for you and your DD.

PresentingPercy · 17/02/2021 12:17

@Ginfilledcats
That is longer than 12 week gap. Do you really mean 5 weeks ago? You should have another appointment in April. My jab is Friday and I have a May seconddose appointent. DH had his jab Monday and he has a 3 May appointment. So you are way before us. April appointment surely?

WineInTheWillows · 17/02/2021 12:19

I'm in the same boat (well, except I haven't been offered it). Not sure if I'd go for it, totally understand your concerns.

PresentingPercy · 17/02/2021 12:20

What risk is there to anyone wanting a baby? This is utterly ridiculous.

The risk you are posing is to the greater community who cannot have a jab. They need to be protected by all of us who can. Why are we still thinking that vaccination is not the right thing to do? For us as individuals or for the community as a whole? Wakefield has a lot to answer for and social media rubbish.

Timbucktime · 17/02/2021 12:21

Certainly all quite confusing with all the different information being given out.

WineInTheWillows · 17/02/2021 12:21

You don't have to explain your reasons for wanting to continue to breastfeed here, but I would encourage you to reflect on those and if those reasons really are a deal-breaker. Formula is still healthy, you can still have snuggles and bonding time with your baby, and ultimately, your baby is not going to remember how long she was breastfed for, but she will have a lasting memory of growing up without a mother, or with a mother who never recovered fully from long Covid.

It might be that her baby won't take formula. That was certainly true of my first. A ten month old breastfed baby can be very stubborn about that!

Bourbonbiccy · 17/02/2021 12:27

What is the reason you are being offered it, if you don't think your lifelong medical condition puts you more at risk?

I would be interested to hear why your friends warned you against it and her medical reasoning ?

I would absolutely have the vaccine in your position if I were offered it, unless you and your children were going to live in a bubble of just you until you choose to have it.

WineInTheWillows · 17/02/2021 12:39

What is the reason you are being offered it, if you don't think your lifelong medical condition puts you more at risk?

Just conjecture here, but lots of people who are eligible have not been invited. Stands to reason quite a few ineligible people have been- human error. I know one who was on the flu jab list from when she was pregnant (she's not anymore) and apparently got an invite on that basis, despite no underlying conditions. She called up to ask about the breastfeeding aspect and the doctor said she shouldn't have been on the list at all, but that now she'd been invited she could have one if she chose, or decline it and it'd go to someone else.

Carriemac · 17/02/2021 12:42

The JCVI advice published on 30 December 2020 says there is no known risk in giving available COVID-19 vaccines to breastfeeding women.

Pumperthepumper · 17/02/2021 12:43

This is a really irresponsible thread. If your consultant friend really did tell you not to have it then surely it must be for a reason very personal to you. There’s already so much misinformation around the vaccine, people really need to think before they post. The vaccine is currently the only weapon we have against this stupid thing and reading vague non-scientific reasons on Internet forums against it doesn’t help.

Bluesheep8 · 17/02/2021 12:46

I want to know how all these people under 60 are being offered the jab tbh. I'm CV and I haven't been offered it.

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