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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Covid vaccines for healthy 12-15 year olds

106 replies

Nootkah · 10/09/2021 17:30

So it looks likely the roll out of vaccines for healthy 12-15 year olds will be agreed next week. I'm consenting, and my teen wants it.

What about you?

YABNU - Yes, Im co senting too
YABU - Nope

OP posts:
edwinbear · 10/09/2021 17:34

DS (12) won't be having it. The risk of myocarditis is higher in boys than girls and I can't see that for him personally, the benefit outweighs the risk. DH and I are both double vaccinated, I'm not an anti vaxer by any stretch, but I won't risk it for him.

PicsInRed · 10/09/2021 17:34

Good.

Nootkah · 10/09/2021 17:37

@edwinbear

I think the risk of myocarditis is higher if an unvaccinated 12 year old gets covid than if they have the vaccination. On this basis, Im consenting, because it seems like everyone is going to catch covid at some point!

OP posts:
ThreeLittleDots · 10/09/2021 17:41

Yes DD (12) will be having it

simpson · 10/09/2021 17:43

Yes DD (13) will be having it

edwinbear · 10/09/2021 17:44

From the BBC. www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58423152

Research on millions of people who've had the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) shows there's a tiny risk of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, which is more common in young people - and particularly younger boys - after a second dose. It can cause chest pain and a pounding heart, but symptoms usually clear up in days.

No vaccine or drug is ever 100% safe, and data from the US shows the numbers of children affected are very small.

For every million Pfizer second doses given to 12-17-year-old-boys, around 60 had the condition (compared with 8 in a million among girls). The rates in this age group are higher than in older ones - and it's why only one dose for 16 and 17-year-olds in the UK has been recommended, for now.

But being infected with Covid has consequences for teenagers' health too - including their hearts - so how big is that risk?

"A key unknown is the risk of myocarditis from Covid infection itself," says Prof Neil Ferguson, a government adviser, from Imperial College London.

"If it's similar or higher than from vaccination, then vaccination is more likely to be beneficial." But he says it's "not possible" to give a definitive answer now.

There is also very little data on the long-term effects of heart inflammation years down the line.

Until there is more data, given DS is male and also an athlete, doing c.20hrs of sport a week, I'm really reluctant. I may reconsider once the roll out starts, but I am worried about it.

Geamhradh · 10/09/2021 17:46

[quote Nootkah]@edwinbear

I think the risk of myocarditis is higher if an unvaccinated 12 year old gets covid than if they have the vaccination. On this basis, Im consenting, because it seems like everyone is going to catch covid at some point![/quote]
Yes, it is.
A boy in one of my classes has myocarditis and was one of the first to be vaccinated earlier in the year because of the risks Covid presents to the heart.

OrangeTortoise · 10/09/2021 17:47

Yes I support this.

londonrach · 10/09/2021 17:49

My five year what's the vaccine too having soon both mummy and daddy have it and been explained why we had it....if she was a teen I'd certainly say yes...

Geamhradh · 10/09/2021 17:50

@edwinbear

From the BBC. www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58423152

Research on millions of people who've had the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) shows there's a tiny risk of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, which is more common in young people - and particularly younger boys - after a second dose. It can cause chest pain and a pounding heart, but symptoms usually clear up in days.

No vaccine or drug is ever 100% safe, and data from the US shows the numbers of children affected are very small.

For every million Pfizer second doses given to 12-17-year-old-boys, around 60 had the condition (compared with 8 in a million among girls). The rates in this age group are higher than in older ones - and it's why only one dose for 16 and 17-year-olds in the UK has been recommended, for now.

But being infected with Covid has consequences for teenagers' health too - including their hearts - so how big is that risk?

"A key unknown is the risk of myocarditis from Covid infection itself," says Prof Neil Ferguson, a government adviser, from Imperial College London.

"If it's similar or higher than from vaccination, then vaccination is more likely to be beneficial." But he says it's "not possible" to give a definitive answer now.

There is also very little data on the long-term effects of heart inflammation years down the line.

Until there is more data, given DS is male and also an athlete, doing c.20hrs of sport a week, I'm really reluctant. I may reconsider once the roll out starts, but I am worried about it.

And here's what prof Ferguson said on Monday, in the interests of avoiding 🍒 picking quotes to further specific agendas.

"Ferguson, an epidemiologist at London's Imperial College, said the JCVI had been conservative in assessing the small risk of myocarditis from the mRNA vaccines, adding that COVID infection itself could probably cause the same condition, but data on the risk was not as good.

"I think there are also population benefits to vaccinating that age group," he said in an interview with the Institute for Government on Monday.

"So long as you're convinced that there is some individual level benefit, then I think it's valid to call in the population benefits, and those would be vaccinating that age group would drive down transmission in the population as a whole (and) it will protect the more vulnerable."

When was your quote from?

MarshaBradyo · 10/09/2021 17:51

I’m pleased the process has been thorough and option is there but not 12 until Dec so will see how it goes and decide

Geamhradh · 10/09/2021 17:52

*where, not when.

But I've found it anyway.

edwinbear · 10/09/2021 17:55

BBC published it 8 hours ago. I acknowledge there is also a risk of myocarditis from having Covid, but the higher risk from the vaccine in boys vs girls does worry me.

edwinbear · 10/09/2021 17:56

Sorry, to be clear, the higher risk that boys are more likely to have myocarditis complications from the vaccine vs girls.

Nootkah · 10/09/2021 17:57

@edwinbear Totally. It is a worry. The emerging evidence is that riak or myocarditis is higher feom covid than from vaccination, but in both cases us tiny tiny small. As you link shows, the benefits of vaccination are much smaller in healthy teens ao its not as cut and dried as for adults. I certainly wouldnt judge you for watching and waiting!

OP posts:
edwinbear · 10/09/2021 18:00

Yes, that's the thing, the risk is still only 60 per million in boys (8 per million in girls), but it is still a tiny risk overall. I'll be interested to see what the view is from the other parents at school and what the take up is.

LaurieFairyCake · 10/09/2021 18:00

Well it's going to be have it or don't go to things at some point I think

edwinbear · 10/09/2021 18:03

Agree @LaurieFairyCake and if it ends up being that he has to have it to go on holiday for example, then I'd probably consent. And watch him like a hawk for a few weeks Grin

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 10/09/2021 18:05

Mine's already had it on account of me.

MarshaBradyo · 10/09/2021 18:09

If it’s one dose as per 16 year old how does travel work?

Howshouldibehave · 10/09/2021 18:11

Yes, my DC will definitely be having it!

Badfootkk · 10/09/2021 18:14

Would you consider anti body testing first. I imagine most kids have had covid .

cookiemon666 · 10/09/2021 18:17

I am CEV, 3 older children already double jabbed, 14 year old who is scared of needles is having it for me.

Sleepyblueocean · 10/09/2021 18:19

Ds 15 is already eligible (severe learning disability) but is still waiting for his.

buckleten · 10/09/2021 18:24

Mine are keen to have it!