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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not know where to turn about vaccine fears?

280 replies

WaxedNotVaxed · 21/07/2021 20:41

I've started a new job in the NHS, I'm patient facing and there is pressure being put on for me to get the covid vaccine as soon as possible.

My fears are that I have PCOS and have always struggled with my periods and my cycles used to be 100+ days. Since having a baby a few years ago I have a 29 day cycle and I don't want to mess with this?

I'm scared about the vaccine making me infertile? Or having long term impacts on my reproductive health? It's scary enough with PCOS and I definitely want another child.

I'm overall just a bit skeptical as a 26 year old woman who wants more kids and has PCOS to get a vaccine without long term studies for a virus id likely only be mildly ill from?

I can't say this at work but I feel really anxious over it

OP posts:
Excited101 · 22/07/2021 10:10

Being close to other women on their period can affect your cycle, so it absolutely does not need to be worried about just because the vaccine might mess your cycle up a bit.

Don’t let media scaremongering and panic get in the way of logic and actual science. Covid is a far greater risk to you than the vaccine.

MissChanandlerBong22 · 22/07/2021 10:14

But haven’t women also reported disruption to their periods from catching Covid?

Endofether · 22/07/2021 10:18

@MissChanandlerBong22

But haven’t women also reported disruption to their periods from catching Covid?
Yeah they have

But do people not having the vaccine think they won’t get Covid at some point?

MissChanandlerBong22 · 22/07/2021 10:19

Also, pray do tell - what does the mmr do?

Saved about 23 million lives between 2000-2018. As well as saving many more children from permanent and serious disability.

But there’s this really well-respected and totally scrupulous medic who reckons it causes autism - something tells me that poster might be referring to that 😂

Endofether · 22/07/2021 10:19

This !

Dishwashersaurous · 22/07/2021 10:21

Why do you think there will be a fertility impact of the vaccine?

You work in a hospital. Ask a doctor

foxandbee · 22/07/2021 10:23

You work in a hospital. Ask a doctor

Ah, but that wouldn't bring all the anti-vaxxers a-posting!

StormcloakNord · 22/07/2021 10:26

I just want to say it properly gives me hope & warms my heart at how many people here are defending the vaccine with logic, reason & scientifically accurate information.

Places like this can be an echo chamber for anti-vaxxers spreading misinformation and it's so motivating seeing everyone counteracting it. Thanks

MissChanandlerBong22 · 22/07/2021 10:30

You work in a hospital. Ask a doctor

Oh stop it with the sensible rationale advice 😂

Kittyswhiskers · 22/07/2021 10:41

Such a shame there isn’t a vaccine for stupidity eh Grin

Endofether · 22/07/2021 10:41

This is doing the rounds..

To not know where to turn about vaccine fears?
Kittyswhiskers · 22/07/2021 10:43

Oh ffs 🤣🤣

JanetPondersley · 22/07/2021 11:05

The AZ vaccine isn't new technology, it's a viral vector vaccine that has been in use for many other virus' for some years.

The fertility stories came about because it wasn't advised for women who were trying to get pregnant. This is because it hadn't been tested on pregnant women, and those trying to get pregnant could be in early pregnancy without knowing it. the advisory was nothing to do with fertility, but conspiracy theorists read that into it.

As an NHS worker, I have been required to have other vaccines. I have refused the BCG, and had to get a letter from GP explaining why (basically it doesn't work on me. I've had it three times, and still don't show immunity. So although I failed the immunity test, there really was no point vaccinating me again) But have had all the other ones required of me.

Jangle33 · 22/07/2021 11:14

Perhaps you might be better off getting another job then. I hope we follow France and Greece and make the covid vaccine compulsory for healthcare workers.

JanetPondersley · 22/07/2021 11:17

And a close friend with long covid, her life basically wrecked by it, hasn't had a period for 14 months now.

ravelston · 22/07/2021 12:17

Op, why did you post in AIBU if you so obviously think your not?
Lots of posters have told you, in their opinion as you asked for it, you are BU but you're disagreeing.
Pointless post if all you wanted was posters to tell you you are right

Cheeserton · 22/07/2021 13:44

Irresponsible and unreasonable. You're supposing stuff without a shred of evidence and putting your guesswork ahead of your primary safety and that of others. In the bloody health service. This is why compulsory is even a conversation.

Dutch1e · 22/07/2021 14:10

I know thalidomide is a tired old comparison. Even so, I can't help thinking of it when I read "there's no mechanism by which this vaccine could have X effect."

There was also no mechanism by which Thalidomide could cause birth defects until 20 years later when our tools & skills advanced to the point of being able to identify the mechanism.

That aside, it's disheartening when fear of Covid (so opting for the jab) is seen as perfectly valid but fear of a medical intervention is not. Both are driven by emotions and a complete lack of information on how we, individually, will be affected.

CalishataFolkart · 22/07/2021 14:28

@Dutch1e

I know thalidomide is a tired old comparison. Even so, I can't help thinking of it when I read "there's no mechanism by which this vaccine could have X effect."

There was also no mechanism by which Thalidomide could cause birth defects until 20 years later when our tools & skills advanced to the point of being able to identify the mechanism.

That aside, it's disheartening when fear of Covid (so opting for the jab) is seen as perfectly valid but fear of a medical intervention is not. Both are driven by emotions and a complete lack of information on how we, individually, will be affected.

We have extremely rigorous trials and testing now BECAUSE of thalidomide. The tools and skills didn’t naturally and gradually improve, they were given a massive kick up the backside because thalidomide wasn’t tested properly and had catastrophic consequences.

Science learns from its mistakes.

anon12345678901 · 22/07/2021 14:40

@Dutch1e

I know thalidomide is a tired old comparison. Even so, I can't help thinking of it when I read "there's no mechanism by which this vaccine could have X effect."

There was also no mechanism by which Thalidomide could cause birth defects until 20 years later when our tools & skills advanced to the point of being able to identify the mechanism.

That aside, it's disheartening when fear of Covid (so opting for the jab) is seen as perfectly valid but fear of a medical intervention is not. Both are driven by emotions and a complete lack of information on how we, individually, will be affected.

Do not compare the two. One was marketed with no data, safety or efficacy trials, the other has undergone vigorous animal and human tests with several trial phases. They are completely incomparable. When thalidomide was first introduced it was not approved for sale, unlike the Covid vaccines.
BoPeeple · 22/07/2021 14:53

@Demelza82

The anti-vaxxers /hoax brigade latched onto making up myths about fertility when they saw the vaccine was working so had to pull something out of their arses with a long term impact to scare people into lot having it. Disappointing to see how many people are buying into it - don't think you'll feel much like having a baby with Long Covid.....
That’s a horrible post on many levels.
BoPeeple · 22/07/2021 14:56

@JanetPondersley

The AZ vaccine isn't new technology, it's a viral vector vaccine that has been in use for many other virus' for some years.

The fertility stories came about because it wasn't advised for women who were trying to get pregnant. This is because it hadn't been tested on pregnant women, and those trying to get pregnant could be in early pregnancy without knowing it. the advisory was nothing to do with fertility, but conspiracy theorists read that into it.

As an NHS worker, I have been required to have other vaccines. I have refused the BCG, and had to get a letter from GP explaining why (basically it doesn't work on me. I've had it three times, and still don't show immunity. So although I failed the immunity test, there really was no point vaccinating me again) But have had all the other ones required of me.

I thought the fertility stories came about because thousands of women have reported disruption to their cycles Hmm
gwenneh · 22/07/2021 15:05

I thought the fertility stories came about because thousands of women have reported disruption to their cycles

No, they came about before the vaccine rollout had even gained traction in the UK, so they are not linked.

This is a good piece that starts to explain the link: covid.joinzoe.com/post/covid-vaccines-menstruation

gwenneh · 22/07/2021 15:10

Also, here is a fairly good piece about the timeline of the covid misinformation, how it spread, and who is benefitting from doing this: www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/07/20/1016912079/the-life-cycle-of-a-covid-19-vaccine-lie

wonkylegs · 22/07/2021 15:17

@Ellpellwood
That's not necessarily true they did think this at first but lots of people who are on immunosuppressants/ Biologics drugs have had a better immune response than expected once they tested them, it's only a proportion of that group who haven't had a good immune response. Methotrexate is of particular concern however the vaccine immune response is still effective for 62% of patients.
I'm on Methotrexate & Tofacitinib