Get boosted...but still nothing for under 12s?

[Cutie101]

As a primary school teacher, AIBU to ask why on earth we still aren't vaccinating young children? My own child's year group has closed as almost half the year group have tested positive over over last week including a teacher (not omicron).
I have children hugging me, fingers up nose and all over everything all day every day, but still I am basically working in a petri dish. This is a disaster waiting to happen. This is crazy.

Because they don’t need the vaccine, aren’t possible side effects are worse and more likely to occur from the vaccine than from actual covid in this age group?

I'm in the US and they made vaccinations available for ages 5-11 a month or so ago. Why isn't it available there?

Yeah, it's completely inept.

We should have been vaccinating them 6 weeks ago.

As a primary school teacher, I'm not in the slightest bit worried about the little ones I teach passing on their germs to me. At no point before, during or since my training have I found it acceptable to treat them in that way. Perhaps you should ask yourself why you're still in this job if you're that horrified to be around them.

Because they don't NEED a vaccine?

Because the potential risks to them outweigh the benefits as currently known.

I also strongly believe due to fear mongering a lot of parents are saying their DC have covid simply to keep them off school in the run up to Xmas.

I think it is madness to not vaccinate the younger children. MY 11 year odl was one of only 3 in his class that has not had covid in the past few weeks. The teachers are dropping like flies poor things. One of DS's classmates got covid before the October half term and still has to be carried to the toilet. I am on tenterhooks as DS2 has asthma and allergies so both respiratory AND immune issues. At least give parents the choice. Australia is starting 5-11s next week I hear and giving a 1/3 dose of the adult vaccine.

yes they do need a vaccine...as a part of society they absolutely do. they are a big part of the spread and can be topped by vaccinating them

@lion1618 seriously are you a teacher???

@cutie101 I hear you. My dc both have lots of cases in their class and I'm just hoping to get to Friday . I'm a teacher and think its ridiculous that primary has been hung out to dry. I'm in special needs school, we have 2 very sick children at the moment with covid aged 6 and 8. Its definitely a disaster waiting to happen.

No, "girlcrush" because having the vax doesn't stop you transmitting it or getting it. We all know that.

Because the potential risks to them outweigh the benefits as currently known

Evidence please. Other countries are allowing it, what do we know that they don’t?

I came on to say the same. Outrageous that kids are being overlooked again.

I think they know they have the back up of closing schools in Jan to fall back on. Can’t see how this won’t happen now imho.

The MHRA are still considering it.
Households with a vulnerable immunosuppressed person and an under 12 are really at risk.

@Lion1618 I didn't say I was horrified.
The fact is passing on colds and coughs has never bothered me. The rising covid cases frighten me. It frightens me what I may bring home to those I love, and it frightens me what the children will pass on to eachother and they will take home, several of whom live with vulnerable adults and elderly grandparents all of whom need protecting.

I was going to say that I don’t see why it’s not available to the parents/children who want it.

BUT I can see why the priory needs to be giving vaccines to people who are more likely to be ill.

I imagine there’s another element that’s making sure businesses continue. Though they impacted by school closures I assume it’s less than if everyone in a workplace caught covid and needed to be off.

I understand some parents won't want to vaccinate their children. That's always the case.
However, as it's been deemed appropriate in other countries then surely it ought to be available here for those who want it, especially those children who are vulnerable.

I work in an infant school and we have a nearby juniors. Both have increasing numbers. And whilst the children aren't seriously ill,they are poorly enough to warrant being off school if SI wasn't compulsory.

@Lion1618

As a primary school teacher, I'm not in the slightest bit worried about the little ones I teach passing on their germs to me. At no point before, during or since my training have I found it acceptable to treat them in that way. Perhaps you should ask yourself why you're still in this job if you're that horrified to be around them.

Well said

Having just caught Covid from my class, where a number of pupils have tested positive over the past two weeks, I agree with you. In our school, pupils in Years 3-7 are dropping like flies - clearly the vaccine has worked for age groups above Year 7.
It's sad that when I tested positive the other day, I wasn't surprised. I had come to accept the fact that it was only a matter of time before I contracted the virus, despite my best efforts to protect myself. With the number of cases we had, it was inevitable.

Yes our ks1 has been hit really hard with covid. So many children and staff testing positive I don’t understand how they can completely overlook this age group

@Lion1618

As a primary school teacher, I'm not in the slightest bit worried about the little ones I teach passing on their germs to me. At no point before, during or since my training have I found it acceptable to treat them in that way. Perhaps you should ask yourself why you're still in this job if you're that horrified to be around them.

Thank you! You are a good teacher. 👏👏👏👏

Children don't categorically need the vaccine. Why do we need to pump little kids with unneeded medication?

I've had the vaccine and a booster as has dh. Reluctantly my 12yr old has also had her vaccine. Would I give it to the youngest? I'm not certain. We have also all had covid, - before 12yr olds vaccine and when me and dh were approaching booster time. We all got it mildly.

I do think it should be approved for use in this country and made available to those kids who do need it - kids with respiratory issues / some SEN kids etc. who can then get it from their GP/Consultant. But I'm not certain every child needs to be given it.

An entirely invaccinated cohort of the population (0-12) means that there is just a reservoir of potential infection and variants. We will never knock the bloody thing on the head until we include such a substantial part of the population.

@PicsInRed

Yeah, it's completely inept.

We should have been vaccinating them 6 weeks ago.

No, inept would be diverting resources away from delivering boosters to adults in favour of vaccinating children. The benefits of boosting adults far outweigh those of giving first doses to under 12s.

-unvaccinated that word was. Note to self - do not type one handed while patting the cat.

I agree. Children spreading it are one of the main reasons its so hard to kick it into touch. I think its only a matter of time, thankfully. Can't wait to get my DD vaccinated.