Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not get DS vaccinated

311 replies

Florence282 · 06/10/2021 08:42

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

OP posts:
ChamberofSecrets69 · 06/10/2021 14:03

That's fine, don't get vaccinated. But if you end up very ill, please ensure to apply the same logic and don't use any modern medicine available to you, leave it for those who have had the vaccine.

If you don't believe in the vaccine, you don't believe in modern medicine. You shouldn't pick and choose at your own convenience.

I don't think you're selfish, it's your choice. I do, however, believe you're extremely naive.

Maray1967 · 06/10/2021 14:10

You are being extremely naive. My DS13 has Covid. First two days - seemed like not much, but up and down with a temperature but also fine to be on the PlayStation. Day 3 today - he is totally wiped out, is dizzy and has vomited. Best case scenario is that he will lose 10 days of school but this could carry on longer. He was due to be jabbed tomorrow. I am enraged that he could not have been jabbed weeks ago. What moron decided not to vaccinate teenagers in this country? I would like to be in the room with them right now.

Comedycook · 06/10/2021 14:12

If you don't believe in the vaccine, you don't believe in modern medicine

Honestly the hysteria on this thread is off the charts.

I've had the vaccine. My child won't be getting it. Does that mean I "believe" or "don't believe" in the vaccine?

JJ123456 · 06/10/2021 14:15

My DH and I have both had it but our 12 year old won’t be.

ChamberofSecrets69 · 06/10/2021 14:15

@Comedycook

If you don't believe in the vaccine, you don't believe in modern medicine

Honestly the hysteria on this thread is off the charts.

I've had the vaccine. My child won't be getting it. Does that mean I "believe" or "don't believe" in the vaccine?

I would say you don't believe in it if you're not going to give it to your child, because you're too concerned about the risk. Parents are always more prepared to put themselves at risk than they are their children.
ChamberofSecrets69 · 06/10/2021 14:16

@Comedycook

If you don't believe in the vaccine, you don't believe in modern medicine

Honestly the hysteria on this thread is off the charts.

I've had the vaccine. My child won't be getting it. Does that mean I "believe" or "don't believe" in the vaccine?

Also, there was absolutely nothing hysterical about my comment, not even slightly.
trumpisagit · 06/10/2021 14:16

PP who claims they are vaccinating children without parental consent, I suspect this very rare.
My children's secondary has already said that won't be happening.
I don't see any peer pressure or adverse social media info. I have no idea whether any of my friends' children intend to be vaccinated. It's a private medical decision for your child.
The benefit they may get from the vaccine is small (as is the risk).
I don't understand the angry poster who thinks unvaccinated u16s are killing her family.
That's seriously batshit.

DoNotGetADog · 06/10/2021 14:16

@Florence282

MadeOfStarStuff for me personally it's because the experts don't know my son or his unique circumstances (it would be unfair for me to post about that on here). They're looking at the population as a whole.
If your son has “unique circumstances” that you can’t tell us, then I think it’s unreasonable of you to start this thread in the way that you have.
GnomeyGnome · 06/10/2021 14:17

@Theredjellybean

I have to say I laugh now at posters saying "we are not allowing our dc to be vaccinated", because over and over it has been explained.. Its not your choice... Its the young person's choice. I am vaccinating in schools and have already had quite a few young people without parental consent forms can be me forward for a jab. Most worrying is they are saying they are agreeing with their parents at home about not having jab, as feel to scared of disagreeing with them. They then hear the talk about gilick competency and it being their choice and they are coming up asking to be vaccinated.
That's odd because the letter from my DC's school specifically said that the vaccination programme will not be considering gillick competence and no child would be vaccinated without parental consent.
Comedycook · 06/10/2021 14:19

Also, there was absolutely nothing hysterical about my comment, not even slightly

So by your reckoning as I'm holding off on vaccinating my DC, I don't believe in modern medicine. That's a pretty big leap.

Putting the vaccine aside for a moment, when it comes to science and medicine, even experts regularly disagree with each other. It's pretty simplistic to break it down into either believing or not believing. It's not religion. Science is only ever right until it's proved wrong.

edwinbear · 06/10/2021 14:20

@trumpisagit DS's secondary school and separately the healthcare team who will be administering, have also stated they categorically will not be vaccinating without parental consent. They've gone so far as to say if the parental consent form hasn't been returned 48hrs before the day, they won't vaccinate.

GnomeyGnome · 06/10/2021 14:22

Does anyone have the stats on how much one dose of the vaccine will lower the chances of catching or transmitting Covid? I caught Covid after 2 jabs and then passed it on to my (double jabbed) husband and DD. Just trying to understand how much of an impact it will really have on education if vaccinated children are still passing it on. I think if it's quite a big drop in transmission rates then that would definitely sway me a little more. DS is currently reading the info school have sent and researching a bit for himself and ultimately we will let him decide but it's good to have as much info as possible.

trumpisagit · 06/10/2021 14:31

I believe one does reduces chance of catching by 55%. I don't know much about transmission.

mcmooberry · 06/10/2021 14:33

@geamhradh eh?? Why on earth would it be on the news?? Neither she nor the hospital would contact the papers, it's known complication, not that newsworthy.

Hope you are not implying I have made this up!

Comedycook · 06/10/2021 14:34

@Theredjellybean. So if these teens don't have parental consent and ask for the vaccine, do you give it to them?

Belladonna12 · 06/10/2021 14:35

@GnomeyGnome

Does anyone have the stats on how much one dose of the vaccine will lower the chances of catching or transmitting Covid? I caught Covid after 2 jabs and then passed it on to my (double jabbed) husband and DD. Just trying to understand how much of an impact it will really have on education if vaccinated children are still passing it on. I think if it's quite a big drop in transmission rates then that would definitely sway me a little more. DS is currently reading the info school have sent and researching a bit for himself and ultimately we will let him decide but it's good to have as much info as possible.
There is a big difference in number of cases between sixth form and the rest of the school years in my dc school.
Theredjellybean · 06/10/2021 14:43

Legally schools cannot decide they are not considering gillick competency and not vaccinating without parental consent.
Gilick competency is established in law.
And yes I have had five teens so far ask for it.
We have contacted their parents with their permission and have had a conversation, tried to understand the parents reluctance and supported the young person to make a decision.
Three out of five went ahead with the vaccine.
It really is down to the clinical lead in each vaccination programme, where I work, we have a clinical lead at every vaccination session, wherever it is taking place.
This is always a GP

HoppingPavlova · 06/10/2021 14:44

If you don't believe in the vaccine, you don't believe in modern medicine. You shouldn't pick and choose at your own convenience.

This is so silly. You do realise that not all clinician groups completely agree with all treatments or paradigms in ‘modern medicine’, and that it varies not only amongst groups but institutions, areas and countries. Even looking at vaccines in general (not Covid specific), not all countries have all vaccines approved, there is even differing opinions among Regulators who approve these as to what they believe in regards to efficacy/safety and risk/benefit. You seem either oddly black and white in beliefs or staggeringly naive and believe the medical scientific community is some kind of Borg.

Comedycook · 06/10/2021 14:44

@Theredjellybean

Legally schools cannot decide they are not considering gillick competency and not vaccinating without parental consent. Gilick competency is established in law. And yes I have had five teens so far ask for it. We have contacted their parents with their permission and have had a conversation, tried to understand the parents reluctance and supported the young person to make a decision. Three out of five went ahead with the vaccine. It really is down to the clinical lead in each vaccination programme, where I work, we have a clinical lead at every vaccination session, wherever it is taking place. This is always a GP
Thanks for answer
Comedycook · 06/10/2021 14:45

*answering

Theredjellybean · 06/10/2021 14:45

@Comedycook.. Yes, if I believe they are gilick competent.

MarshaBradyo · 06/10/2021 14:46

@GnomeyGnome

Does anyone have the stats on how much one dose of the vaccine will lower the chances of catching or transmitting Covid? I caught Covid after 2 jabs and then passed it on to my (double jabbed) husband and DD. Just trying to understand how much of an impact it will really have on education if vaccinated children are still passing it on. I think if it's quite a big drop in transmission rates then that would definitely sway me a little more. DS is currently reading the info school have sent and researching a bit for himself and ultimately we will let him decide but it's good to have as much info as possible.
Only what I know from friends etc but Ds has one dose and has tested positive for Covid. Many of his friends too.

That’s not to say I’d change approach as he had no side effects from Pfizer and now has mild flu type symptoms. Think his friends similar

Impossible to know the outcome without that dose - the same or feeling worse

Penfield · 06/10/2021 14:47

I think schools are writing their own individually crafted letters - they will all be different.

I think this because ours was so so considerate. The parent's consent part was bolded. They had a separate stand alone part saying that we did not HAVE to have our children vaccinated. It felt to me that the Headteacher was not happy about being forced into doing this.

Maray1967 · 06/10/2021 14:49

An unvaccinated 13 year old passed it to my unvaccinated 13 year old - that’s the most likely source. Not their fault - not had the chance to be vaccinated.
I am surprised by all this talk of risk as though it only lies with taking the vaccine.
The biggest risk by far lies in not being vaccinated- as it always has - for the vast majority of people.
I am absolutely furious that my child has not had the chance to be vaccinated.

Penfield · 06/10/2021 14:50

We have contacted their parents with their permission and have had a conversation, tried to understand the parents reluctance and supported the young person to make a decision.
Three out of five went ahead with the vaccine.

Wow - I'm glad my kids are not at your school @Theredjellybean

If any teacher/school called me trying to do the same I'd give them a piece of my mind to be sure.

It's none of your business whether any of your school kids are vaccinated.

Am I right that you challenged their parent's consent? Did I read that correctly?