to think health professionals shouldn't shame people

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

My son did not get a Covid jab. His rationale was that his risk of serious illness was very low even if he contracted it, and that all those who are at high risk have now been jabbed. I don't agree with that argument, and have had all 3 jabs myself, but respect that that is his view. He also suffers from anxiety and panic attacks.

He finally decided to have the vaccine, as he realises that various restrictions might impact on him (Covid passports etc) if he remains unvaccinated. So he went off yo the walk-in centre to get one this morning.

He's just got home fuming. When he presented himself, the person registering him asked him why he hadn't had his jab earlier. Why would that be any of their business? He then went through to the vaccinator who asked the same thing. He did explain that he had changed his mind because he wants to go to concerts and to visit his grandparents abroad. The vaccinator then said "that's a very selfish attitude, you won't have a vaccine to prevent people dying but you will to go on holiday".

Surely Health Professionals ought to be encouraging people to get vaccinated, not shaming them? I've given him grief about not getting vaccinated but I'm his Mum and he lives with us. I volunteer in a vaccine clinic and have always made a point of being really positive towards everyone who comes for their vaccine. AIBU?

@Derbee

All the people who put off their jabs because “they hate needles”, as though the rest of us just LOVE needles. I don’t like needles at all. But I am having blood drawn every few weeks during my pregnancy. I am having Covid vaccines, whooping cough, flu jabs etc, because its for an important reason. I think a lot of people could suck it up and accept that nobody likes needles and injections

Way to just minimise how phobias can affect people. If you managed to get your jab despite "hating needles" then good for you. I don't "hate" them... I am a danger to anyone approaching me with one. My own GP wont ask for any tests involving them because they know that it wont get done.

He is selfish and you both know that the vaccinator was right. Probably also a volunteer FYI.

@MaxNormal

The poor bugger has now actually had the vaccine and it's still not enough apparently.

Well done the lot of you for putting off any vaccine hesitant people who were considering doing it.

Yeah, sure there are loads of people who were going to get the vaccine tomorrow only for what has been said here.

sometimes the thought of a reward can help a little. I promised myself a new watch

My friend has a needle phobia, it was so hard for her to go and get her jabs, she got them as soon as she was offered, we were all so proud of her.

She kept her mind on the reward, doing her best for society and maybe keeping her child in education that little bit longer, it really helped push her through it.

@ManicPixie

“ You think he came home putting on an act and pretending to be angry and lied to his double jabbed parents about what was said? For what purpose?”

To prove his weird aversion to the system right somehow. It’s absurd of course, but so was his initial anti-vaccine stance. I just find it totally unbelievable two separate professionals would say that in a row.

What two professionals? If you'd read my post properly, you'd see that I said that the first one (admin/booking clerk) asked him why he hadn't been vaccinated earlier. It was only the vaccinator who said he was selfish. Please don't put words into my mouth.

My child is the same XenoBitch. We've have to go to specialist appointments when he needs to give blood and even then we've had to walk out without getting it done. Needle phobia is considerably move debilitating than simply not liking needles. Sucking it up is not an option.

All the people saying “well I agree with them” how is that relevant? Would you appreciate someone rudely telling you off for something after you had made the good medical decision (as opposed to firmly telling you the consequences of your decisions/actions while still making the bad decision).

“You’re here for your smear test? You’re an idiot for leaving it so late”

There are plenty of people who would say “well I agree with that, truth hurts sometimes”. Doesn’t make it acceptable for someone in that sort of role to say it.

It’s not a good enough reason for refusing a vaccination

It's not mandatory. Any reason at all is good enough to refuse it.

@Derbee

*Way to just minimise how phobias can affect people. If you managed to get your jab despite "hating needles" then good for you. I don't "hate" them... I am a danger to anyone approaching me with one. My own GP wont ask for any tests involving them because they know that it wont get done*

But @XenoBitch we are in the middle of a global pandemic, that is fucking people’s lives up all around us. A simple injection, even with a needle phobia is not too much to ask. In extreme cases, people can be medicated like many do for flying etc. It’s not a good enough reason for refusing a vaccination. Also, it’s very unlikely that the number of vaccine refuses in this country accurately represents the number of people will a crippling anxiety about injections

"A simple injection"? like I said, it would be dangerous for someone to approach me with a needle. Do you think the police should be involved when I go for the vaccine? I had cops hold me down to put a pulse oximeter on.. that is how bad I am with medical intervention. I can't take meds for it, and if I did, it would be such a massive dose needed, I would not be able to consent anyway.

@MaxNormal it’s not mandatory YET. But the number of people refusing vaccines will mean that it is ultimately mandatory, if you want to do anything or go anywhere.

If I went to a vaccine centre, they would point blank refuse to inject me because of how I would react.

But the number of people refusing vaccines will mean that it is ultimately mandatory

The UK has had an excellent uptake though.

Your son should make a complaint. I can’t imagine that the walk in centre would encourage that type of comment from the vaccinators. Someone should at least have a word with them as this person may put someone off going back for their second vaccination or booster if they say it to someone who actually cares about their judgement. They sound like they’re not really suitable for the job at the moment.

@MaxNormal

It’s not a good enough reason for refusing a vaccination

It's not mandatory. Any reason at all is good enough to refuse it.

Ha, and here I am (and many others) tie ourselves up in knots explaining why we have not had it. 'No' is a whole sentence.

@XenoBitch you will do what’s right for you. But when people can’t travel, go to the cinema, theatre, festival, restaurants, bars etc etc without proof of vaccine, something will have to give.

YANBU On the general subject of it being counter-productive for health professionals to 'shame' patients, here it is as a cause of dental phobia:www.dentalfearcentral.org/fears/embarrassment/

It’s not a good enough reason for refusing a vaccination

In your opinion. In reality, people can refuse for any reason they want. And a needle phobia is a valid and reasonable reason to do so. If you're so concerned about people that can't or won't be vaccinated, the best steps you can take is to protect yourself and stay away from people. Get yourself vaccinated. Those are the steps you can take. Demanding that other people do so to protect you is not an option that is available to you.

[quote Derbee]@XenoBitch you will do what’s right for you. But when people can’t travel, go to the cinema, theatre, festival, restaurants, bars etc etc without proof of vaccine, something will have to give.[/quote]
I can't afford all that anyway. So denying me stuff like that is hardly an incentive.. and it is not like denying me access to such things would suddenly cure my phobia.
I am happy to do LFT in the mean time anyway.

@TisTheSeasonToBeVegan

Your son should make a complaint. I can’t imagine that the walk in centre would encourage that type of comment from the vaccinators. Someone should at least have a word with them as this person may put someone off going back for their second vaccination or booster if they say it to someone who actually cares about their judgement. They sound like they’re not really suitable for the job at the moment.

Absolutely fucking ridiculous ! People have volunteered in all ways to get to where we are today and you think this person should be apologised to ?

@EricCartmansUnderpants the point is, the more people who refuse vaccines, the higher the infection rate, the higher the hospitalisation rate, and the more inevitable it will be that vaccines will become mandatory.

If the end result is the same, why not get there a year or 2 faster (or however long it takes) and not have the lockdowns/school closures/ etc etc in the meantime?

@Derbee

*Way to just minimise how phobias can affect people. If you managed to get your jab despite "hating needles" then good for you. I don't "hate" them... I am a danger to anyone approaching me with one. My own GP wont ask for any tests involving them because they know that it wont get done*

But @XenoBitch we are in the middle of a global pandemic, that is fucking people’s lives up all around us. A simple injection, even with a needle phobia is not too much to ask. In extreme cases, people can be medicated like many do for flying etc. It’s not a good enough reason for refusing a vaccination. Also, it’s very unlikely that the number of vaccine refuses in this country accurately represents the number of people will a crippling anxiety about injections

Fucking hell, your attitude is disgusting. Are you this judgemental to people with other mental health issues or do you save your judgmental attitude for those with needle phobias?

Your comments are pathetic and show a lack of intelligence and empathy. 'A simple injection'? It really isn't for those with a needle phobia.

My brother is going to get his first jab this week. He was booked to go in June and again in September but both times he tested positive on a LFT the morning of the jab and had to isolate.
Third time’s a charm.
I hope he doesn’t get this kind of snidey comment.

Shocked by some of the comments here. I shouldn't be, I've been on Mumsnet long enough.
Regardless of your personal opinion and whether you agree with the health care professional or not, it is completely unacceptable to make comments like this on the job.
One of the worst things about Covid is how people think it's appropriate to treat each other now - with utter disdain if they have differing views to their own.