To not get DS vaccinated

[Florence282]

I think this probably not allowed but I'm very interested to see what the general population thinks about vaccinating our DC. DS is 12 and after a tonne of research we've decided not to vaccinate. Other mums in the school are struggling to make a decision.

Yanbu=no to the vaccine
Yabu=yes to the vaccine

@Narutocrazyfox

A wise and sensible decision OP. There's no way I'm allowing my children to have the vaccine. The risks far outweigh any slight benefit for a virus that for the vast, VAST majority of children is very mild.

Could you link to a reputable scientific article backing up that sentence about risks please? Otherwise you may be accused of spreading potentially dangerous misinformation about the vaccine that might lead to parents deciding not to vaccinate their own children. I'm sure you are able to show something (reputable) illustrating your point. Thanks.

@Incognito22333

I was on the fence regarding my 13 year old. However, having spoken to a number of friends who are GPs and whose children 12-15 will not be having the vaccine, we are not getting it either now. That tells me enough.

Really? That's atrocious isn't it? Very unprofessional and going against the GMC Code of Conduct. How could they be so stupid as to tell their friends. Blimey. Presumably there will be serious disciplinary consequences as I expect they're telling all parents of teenagers the same. If they're telling their friends etc who knows what they do in their professional capacity. Doesn't bear thinking about. Obviously you'll have told them they mustn't talk to you about any personal opinion (medical) that goes against the GMC Code?

Belladonna12 I've not once said I'm more knowledgeable than the experts, I'm clearly not, I'm just a mum with a scientific background trying to make the right decision for my child. I'm not arrogant either and I'm not here to impress anyone. I'm just interested in other people's opinions. I'm not pushing my opinions on others. I'm respectfully answering a few questions that I've had. If you want a heated debate on this you're not going to get it from me. It seems like this is something you're passionate about and I respect that.

Apparently 40% of 12-15 year olds have either been vaccinated or consent forms have been signed. A further 20% were refused initially but parents have had a change of heart since so drs are arranging catch up clinics.

My children were vaccinated months ago ASAP as they are over 18, Dd2 queued for leftover vaccine even (Dd1 is group 6)

@Florence282

Belladonna12 I've not once said I'm more knowledgeable than the experts, I'm clearly not, I'm just a mum with a scientific background trying to make the right decision for my child. I'm not arrogant either and I'm not here to impress anyone. I'm just interested in other people's opinions. I'm not pushing my opinions on others. I'm respectfully answering a few questions that I've had. If you want a heated debate on this you're not going to get it from me. It seems like this is something you're passionate about and I respect that.

What's your scientific background? And how has that made you not trust science?

Thanks for all the replies. This started off well but I can see where its heading so I'll leave it here.

Thanks everyone who posted links and who respectfully gave their thoughts on this. Lots to go away and think about. It's been really helpful.

@Incognito22333

I was on the fence regarding my 13 year old. However, having spoken to a number of friends who are GPs and whose children 12-15 will not be having the vaccine, we are not getting it either now. That tells me enough.

Worth remembering that the plural of anecdote is not data.

I have a degree in Biology and work as an ATMP pharmaceutical manufacturing technician with a foundation degree in ATMPs.

So education is important to you. But disruption to your son's education isn't?

My children are too little so I don't need to make this decision yet and I have no idea what I would do.

But I get angry when people accuse parents of being selfish for not vaccinating their kids. It's absolutely not selfish to be concerned about potential side effects, especially when the science behind it all is largely inaccessible to the majority of the population.

If we are to address vaccine hesitancy overall, we need to move away from the name calling and look at the reasons behind it. Better education, and the opportunity for people to express their concerns in a non judgemental environment is the way forward. Calling people selfish will not achieve anything.

It’s not selfish

I hate this narrative about protecting others

Of course there is varying Information but scientific data published ( not just media reports) show that a vaccinated person and unvaccinated person chance of catching and passing are astonishingly similar. There is very little difference.

This vaccine ( which is not a vaccine in its traditional sense) was designed to reduce severity of illness not to prevent catching or transmission. Therefore vaccinating teens is not going to prevent them catching it, passing it, or protecting anyone who is vulnerable and it is naive of anyone who thinks that their vaccinated teen is now ‘safe’ to be around their medically vulnerable grandparent.

And based on statistics which even jvci stated for most teens it’s not necessary. Politics is pushing it, not scientific evidence

Mine won’t be having it, for reasons as above and simply because I want to see long term effects first. Maybe in a few years I’ll feel different

Just get your kids vaccinated! Hundreds of people are dying every day in this country.

Although children don’t usually get that sick they are carriers and we have to reduce the spread given that there are few mitigations mandated anymore.

My partners eldest son is 16 and has had his first as he wanted to have it. His body, his choice. However, our daughter who is 4 wouldn't have it if the pool opened up that low. I vaccinate my child against everything that is the norm and things I would consider threatening to them. Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, all the usual childhood illnesses. I haven't chosen to vaccinate against chickenpox as catching naturally gives greater longevity to the immunity compared to the vaccine (as far as research I have read shows - correct me if I'm wrong though!)

However, if she reached older years without naturally acquiring the virus I would vaccinate to prevent more severe disease (as is the case the older they get catching chickenpox).

So my point is around risk - the risk of Covid to a 4 year old with no underlying health conditions, to me just isn't worth doing the vaccination. Plus she most likely already has natural immunity as I caught it earlier in the year and she had similar symptoms to me but we didn't test her.

Well he doesn't want it at the moment either, the important thing is that you're all on the same page, which it sounds like you are. I'm sure there will be vaccines available in the years to come if he does change his mind.

@Florence282

SprayedWithDettol I do have a degree in Biology and I work as an Advanced therapy medicinal product pharmaceutical technician.

And yet you were unaware of the research on the greater risks of Covid for children in terms of myocarditis?

You will always have the option. Just because you're not comfortable with it now doesn't mean you will still be in a year/two years time etc. you can at any point say "actually, I feel differently about this now" and then you can go and book them in.

My daughter is 11 so it's unlikely it will be offered before this time next year, by which time an enormous amount of data will be available that will help me make the decision.

I would say that even as a non medical PhD researcher, I don't think I have the adequate knowledge base to thoroughly research a vaccine well enough to categorically say I am 100% happy with a decision either way, and the "do your own research" and interpretation of medical data is extremely nuanced and takes skill to decipher and reach a conclusion on.

I'm unsure, but my dd is only 2 and it hasn't been approved yet for her age range. I'm sure it will be though.

I was fine with her having the relatively new meningitis B vaccine, but meningitis is scarier for young children than covid is.

I'm pro vaccination but I don't really see the benefit (vs risk) of the covid vaccine for children right now unless they're medically vulnerable in some way.

@Florence282 I had a feeling your thread may go this way ,the vaccine has caused huge division everywhere . On here you were selfish if you weren't vaccinated now you are selfish if your kids aren't getting vaccinated . I honestly haven't met anyone in real life who thinks like this ,some of my friends are getting their teens vaccinated and some aren't we have talked about why /why not but it's then just seen as fair enough it's your choice .

@toomuchlaundry

You know there is a risk with myocarditis with COVID too

Exactly, a 15 year old girl passed away with it the other week.

Its everyone's own decision, but I wouldn't even know how to research a vaccine. I don't understand the ingredients. What do you believe and don't believe.

The say any side effects would be immediate not long term, it doesn't give you life long immunity?

@millymolls

It’s not selfish

I hate this narrative about protecting others

Of course there is varying Information but scientific data published ( not just media reports) show that a vaccinated person and unvaccinated person chance of catching and passing are astonishingly similar. There is very little difference.

This vaccine ( which is not a vaccine in its traditional sense) was designed to reduce severity of illness not to prevent catching or transmission. Therefore vaccinating teens is not going to prevent them catching it, passing it, or protecting anyone who is vulnerable and it is naive of anyone who thinks that their vaccinated teen is now ‘safe’ to be around their medically vulnerable grandparent.

And based on statistics which even jvci stated for most teens it’s not necessary. Politics is pushing it, not scientific evidence

Mine won’t be having it, for reasons as above and simply because I want to see long term effects first. Maybe in a few years I’ll feel different

Someone always pops up on these threads to say that the vaccine is not "designed" to prevent transmission. Why do you think they deliberately designed it to only prevent severe effects? Do you not think that they aimed to prevent transmission too?

While not completely successful there certainly a reduction in transmission among vaccinated people. That's why people who live with someone who is immunsuppressed are a priority for vaccination.

You do realise that while you are waiting to find out about the long term effects of vaccination your child will probably catch covid and even if their symptoms are mild at the time we don't know if there will be any adverse effects in the future? Why worry about vaccine long term effects but not covid itself?

OP - Is AIBU a trusted source of medical advice?
In this forum if your partner pours the tea first before the milk you’ll be told to LTB and if your child acts up you’ll be advised they must get tested straight away for ADHD, autism, Aspergers …

YANBU OP. DS turned 12 end of August so only just 12 as well. DH and I are double jabbed, DS will have HPV and flu vaccines, DD (9) will have flu. Both have had all childhood immunisations.

I've just declined consent for DS to have the Covid vaccine because of the increased risk of myocarditis in boys - I would make a different decision for DD if she was old enough to have it. DS is an elite athlete in a CV intensive sport, his training/competitive schedule is between 15-20 hours a week and I'm not prepared to take any risks with his heart. He's had 3 periods of self isolation due to close contact so far, there are a number of his close school friends who have tested positive over the last few weeks. None of his peers have had any symptoms other than a slight sore throat and runny nose, and given he plays a full contact sport with many of them, I suspect he's probably already had it and been asymptomatic (despite regularly testing negative with LFT's which clearly aren't terribly accurate).

For him, personally, the risks outweigh the benefits. I don't think it's black and white with children and it's a situation where families need to be allowed and respected to take a decision in their DC's best interests.

I am in my early 50s and in good health and double AZ vaccinated. I am just starting to recover from 2 weeks of 'mild' covid which was extremely unpleasant and extremely disruptive. I am so glad i eas double vaccinated and the symptoms no worse. I would definitely get my iwn dc vaccinated. We need to stop this horrible disease. My youngest daughter is 16 and has lots of friends with long covid.

I don’t understand how people feel they can do more research and know more than the medical professionals who recommend vaccination.

Well, you’ve had JCVI tell you the benefit/risk doesn’t stack up for the average individual in this age population.

I'll make no comment on the decision. But why when there's a Coronavirus board and boards dedicated to children, would you chose to put it on AIBU where you're asking for a bun fight?

@HoppingPavlova

I don’t understand how people feel they can do more research and know more than the medical professionals who recommend vaccination.

Well, you’ve had JCVI tell you the benefit/risk doesn’t stack up for the average individual in this age population.

The JCV1 said that the known benefits marginally outweighed the potential known risks actually and that was without weighing up effects on educations etc.