To not want to give my 13 year old the moderna vaccination

[Letshaveablackcelebration]

I am normally pro- vaccination and I am double vaxxed myself. I had the moderna jab too and had a dreadful reaction to the 2nd jab- I was ill for 10 days and off work.

I see that Moderna has been approved for 12 -18 year olds but I really don’t want my 13 year old to have it, especially after the nasty reaction I had to it. I don’t think that I want my teenager to have any of the covid jabs actually and I am surprised that I feel this way. I think it’s because I was so ill- it’s made me really worried.

Aibu? My kids are both fully vaxxed with all their childhood jabs so I am surprised at myself for feeling so strongly about this.

it's an individual decision. talk to your dc what they want to do as well.

fwiw my teenager had both doses already (not uk) and have not have side effects apart from a slight ache where the needle went in.
my dc wanted to have the vaccine. they hope for less school disruptions now that they enter the gcse years.

Everyone I know who had Moderna was really ill after the second jab. I do not blame you for not wanting your kids to have it.

What does your 13 year old themself think?
You do understand, I hope, that because you had side effects likely has no bearing whatsoever on whether your child will, and literally millions of people are having covid jabs with no or minimal side effects?
I presume you're fully recovered now? And protected from the more extreme and dangerous effects of having covid. Is this not a bonus?
If you had a car accident would you then stop your children from travelling by car?

I had Moderna and was fine, my SIL has it and was ill for a few days. It differs from person to person. You need to weigh up whether the risk of feeling grim from an injection is worth the down side of not getting it.

At 13 generally such a decision is hers. YABU your bad reaction doesn’t mean she’ll have same, if any, particularly at her age.

To add to the anecdata being posted I know no one with a bad reaction to moderna. That doesn’t mean that many haven’t, just like knowing folk who have means same.

The thing is too- I have actually had covid and was pretty rough for 2 weeks with it but my DS didn’t get it off me despite being in the house with me (Or were asymptomatic if they did) and so I am not even sure he needs to be vaccinated actually. I just don’t know.

@garlictwist

Everyone I know who had Moderna was really ill after the second jab. I do not blame you for not wanting your kids to have it.

Not me!

You don't need to know now as the UK is not vaccinating her age group ( ) so let it sink in and see where you are when they do a u turn.

Would you be happy for your DD to have the Pfizer?

It's difficult when you've been ill yourself after vaccination. I had a horrible reaction to the Astra Zeneca (I'm still sleeping much more 4 months on) it's not something I'd want my DC to go through. I'm assuming she'll be offered the Pfizer.

It's not up to you though. What does your child want?

@Letshaveablackcelebration

The thing is too- I have actually had covid and was pretty rough for 2 weeks with it but my DS didn’t get it off me despite being in the house with me (Or were asymptomatic if they did) and so I am not even sure he needs to be vaccinated actually. I just don’t know.

Which variant did you have? With the new variant in the States where schools have already gone back they are seeing increase cases in children and more children (although still low numbers) in intensive care. They also have more teachers dying.

I completely understand the decision on whether or not to give it to your child but the newest variant is a completely different issue for children from the original variant which they didn't really spread.

I'd be surprised at 13 whether they will be offered it soon tbh. If they start boosting the older folks then that will take up their time/resources. So the kids - unless vulnerable- won't be offered it.

Is it Moderna which is seems to have more side effects if you've actually had covod - I think there is one that does?

It’s a hard decision as a parent to make, but I did see an article that for people who have had covid, the symptoms from vaccination are more than someone who hasn’t had covid. This may be the case for you. I presume like Pfizer the Moderna will only be given as one dose. If that is the case, then I would be happy for that.

I think at 13 they'd leave the final desicion up to her.

I had about 2 days worth of fever after my moderna jab but would still encourage my DS to have it for altruistic reasons if he was old enough.

You don’t have to worry about it since the U.K. isn’t vaccinating 13 year olds. If they do you won’t be forced to give permission. I want my children protected but don’t get to choose to give permission, and there is nothing I can do about that, sadly.

I had moderna, had a sore arm and felt like I had been hit by a bus for a day, then I was fine. My bf had moderna too and was ill for a week, but she had been hospitalised with covid earlier. I’d still want my dc vaccinated if it was a possibility.

Are the uk planning to vaccinate younger teens?

I felt slightly off after the second Moderna for a few hours. Nothing that stopped me working or doing anything.

Anyone has the right to refuse any sort of procedure for any reason.

Yes, people here will call you names but it is helpful to know that you need no reason beyond ‘no thank you, that is not for me at this time.’

Since you asked - I think you'd be out of your mind not to give your child the vaccine.

As soon as my children are eligible i will be there like a shot.

I feel the same so will be holding off for a while.

YANBU
I feel exactly the same OP, really conflicted about this, and no I don't think my DS12 had the capacity to make an informed decision.
I've had the jab. I'd already had the astra zeneca when the stories of blood clots came out, I wouldn't be allowed to have that jab now because of my age.
That worries me, they rushed that through and I don't want my child to end up ill from a vaccine, when it's extremely doubtful he'd be ill from covid

*Anyone has the right to refuse any sort of procedure for any reason.

Yes, people here will call you names but it is helpful to know that you need no reason beyond ‘no thank you, that is not for me at this time.’*

This is true but we’re not talking about the OP we’re talking about another person who is entitled to make their own decision about it. Not that the OP is likely to offer unbiased information though.

That goes both ways, though: in other words if you encourage your child to get it you aren’t offering unbiased opinions.

I’m not sure at what age parental consent ceases.

I have a CV 13yo and I’d love him to get a covid vaccine, any covid vaccine. He’s not being offered it though.

FWIW - one of my older teenagers has been pretty ill after both jabs (Pfizer), and my other has had no reaction whatsoever. It’s random, it really is.

@Whyo

At 13 generally such a decision is hers. YABU your bad reaction doesn’t mean she’ll have same, if any, particularly at her age.

To add to the anecdata being posted I know no one with a bad reaction to moderna. That doesn’t mean that many haven’t, just like knowing folk who have means same.

At 13? Too young to legally consent to sex, get a tattoo, drive a car, etc? Should a 13 year old get to choose their own bedtime/curfew/mealtimes/diet as well?

13 year olds are still children. This is absolutely the OPs decision.