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Covid

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Will you vaccinate against Covid?

338 replies

DelilahfromDevon · 19/09/2020 09:44

Let me start by saying I’ve never been an anti vaxxer and have vaccinated my family in the usual way. Also vaccinated them against chicken pox. They get vaccinated against the flu at school but I’ve never been vaccinated myself with the exception of the pregnancy years when it’s recommended.

But I am undecided vaccinating against Covid. Firstly due to unknown side effects of a vaccination that’s being rushed through. Secondly, only 370 people under 60 without medical conditions have died from Covid. No children. (Source Daily Telegraph). Most people who catch it don’t die and at worst have minor symptoms.

If I do decide to vaccinate it will purely be for the greater good of the elderly and those who are immunocompromised rather than because I think/am concerned I’m going to get it myself.
Curious as to what other people’s thoughts on it are?

OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 19/09/2020 13:58

yousetthetone searched and was sent to the programme website. Couldn’t see anything on the prog page about transcripts.
Can’t begin to summarise but overall impression was positive re rigour. Professor described that it is being hurried not by reducing or skipping safety steps but by reducing the periods of delay between them - ie all scientific method and regulatory, clinical, peer review safety steps etc but concertinead To get to through quicker.

janinlondon · 19/09/2020 14:08

In a heartbeat. Yes.

giletrouge · 19/09/2020 14:12

Yep.

Heatherjayne1972 · 19/09/2020 14:20

Yes. I suspect I’ll be required to take it if I fancy keeping my job

Tolleshunt · 19/09/2020 14:20

but by reducing the periods of delay between them - ie all scientific method and regulatory, clinical, peer review safety steps etc but concertinead To get to through quicker.

Why don’t we usually do this? What are the reasons for making everything take longer under usual circumstances?

Ellsbells12 · 19/09/2020 14:23

After listening to Sarah Gilbert they have been working on vaccines for coronavirus for years and this is tweaked ! I am not fussed getting it but would I am more scared for my parents

My kids get the flu vaccine and I paid for the meningitis one as my son was very ill as a baby

CountFosco · 19/09/2020 14:35

Why don’t we usually do this? What are the reasons for making everything take longer under usual circumstances?

The entire pharmaceutical industry, its supply chain and the regulators are prioritising Covid-19 projects over other projects. Also, a lot of delays are caused by e.g. the time it takes to recruit patients to clinical trials and the time for smaller biotech companies to raise money. Some governments are paying for vaccine manufacturers to massively increase their production capabilities (these are long standing agreements). Basically the entire world is throwing money at this.

Concerned7777 · 19/09/2020 14:36

I cant say I'm in a rush to go out and have it or for my dc to have it. I suppose I want to know exactly what the vaccine will do, will it make me immune? Will it just mean I get a milder dose if I do get it? Will I still be able to transmit the virus to others if I've been vaccinated? Is the vaccine for my benefit or others around me?

Triangularbubble · 19/09/2020 14:53

I’ll take it. Don’t really care if it’s a doctor, a vet or a trained volunteer administering it, I’d even inject myself, it’s not rocket science. I’m probably towards the back of the queue though, so plenty of time to see how it pans out.

I hestitate slightly for my children as they are very low risk so I don’t think they need it for their own health and they aren’t old enough to consent to doing it “altruistically” to protect others. I will probably agree to them having it though if the benefit to them is schools stay open, society reopens, they can see Grandparents etc.

HeronLanyon · 19/09/2020 14:53

tolleshuntcountfosco** that’s my understanding also. All (or almost all) energy being focussed on this now. Other things no doubt are taking a back step in the process which is of itself maybe worrying.

MagpieSong · 19/09/2020 14:55

Yes. It's less likely to cause long term effects than Covid-19 itself based on the current research of studies on those who've caught the virus. The vaccine is being tested for side effects, usually there's quite a long period where peers can review and debate studies, which I think is greatly reduced in timescale. That doesn't mean it won't be assessed by peers or queried, just that the timescale that this happens in is reduced. The vaccine is unlikely to have long term effects. I'd rather risk a vaccine.

Children have died from Covid-19, it's just less common. They have also contracted multi-organ inflammatory syndrome as part of the virus. Equally, 'underlying health condition' can vary greatly in what it means, there are a high number of people with something that would be counted as an 'underlying health condition' from polycystic ovaries to diabetes to asthma to high blood pressure to hypothyroidism to obesity etc. It doesn't have to mean something where the person would be likely to die from it without catching the virus. What I think will be useful later is seeing how many of these conditions did affect recovery from Covid-19 and to what extent, as well as whether any increased the risk of contracting it. At the moment there are suggestions, but further research on this is needed.

Children have been lucky so far, but pathogens mutate and the virus may well be different in the following years to now. This means that the vaccine first given may alter a bit from the first year it is given to the third year or years after (like the flu vaccine). We know the flu vaccine has slightly different reactions each year based on the way it changes and which strains it is aimed at eg. Some years a majority report nausea and a runny nose, other years a minority report that but a majority report their arm aching more than previous years. In a changing vaccine or vaccine expected to change, it makes less sense to wait. We do have a lot of knowledge on creating safe vaccines relating to other viruses (eg. H1N1 vaccine, which was developed quickly) and there has been a lot of investment in the last decade on creating novel development programs that are able to be altered depending on pathogen. Although we can't be sure on long term effects, the majority of long term effects with any possible links at all to vaccines tend towards the minor end of the scale (mild asthma, food allergies). We don't know if a majority of the children who contract Covid-19 will go on to have long term adverse effects if it lies dormant and reoccurs, though it is possible at least some will, as it is thought to pass the blood-brain barrier. However, there does tend to be strong anti-vaccine sentiment which perpetuates the internet and can appear convincing. Often, it is taken out of context. I believe, statistically, you are far more like to have a short term reaction to a vaccine that's dangerous (anaphylaxis - for the 6 in 1 vacc. it's 1 in 100,000) than a long term one - and, even then, the risk of that happening is so minimal that it isn't really a consideration not to have it. Vaccination staff are also aware of this and trained to handle it for the rare cases it occurs. On the whole, I think the vaccine is likely to be safer than the virus and severe adverse long term effects will be unlikely, so I'd rather have the vaccine and make sure my children have the vaccine than not.

Rudolphian · 19/09/2020 14:57

I would wait and see. I wouldn't be getting it in the first year and my kids won't either.
Depending on the side effects and the risks after the first year I would make my decision.

Jaxhog · 19/09/2020 15:01

Absolutely yes! I'm in at least 2 high-risk categories.

Jontysmum · 19/09/2020 15:07

Don't think so. I've had it and although I know I could get it again it's not something that worries me now

Tolleshunt · 19/09/2020 15:37

Thank-you for the explanation CountFosco and HeronLanyon. Yes, it’s a bit worrying fo think of what has been deprioritised for it, but needs must at the moment, I guess.

timeforawine · 19/09/2020 15:46

Yes even if i have to pay, will also vaccinate my 4 year old

thetrees · 19/09/2020 16:02

Yes

MaudesMum · 19/09/2020 16:10

Yes! I'll get it as soon as I can. I want to be able to travel, see and hug friends, and go to the theatre again. Can't see any of those happening safely without a vaccine.

Okaro · 19/09/2020 16:21

No my family will not be having the vaccine if they find one.

whirlwindwallaby · 19/09/2020 16:24

No, I've had it and am happy to catch it again if my immunity wears off. I'm not vulnerable and neither is my teenager. I'd consider it if I was over 50 or had health issues.

covetingthepreciousthings · 19/09/2020 16:46

I would wait and see. I wouldn't be getting it in the first year and my kids won't either.
Depending on the side effects and the risks after the first year I would make my decision

I feel in a similar position to this. However I worry that workplaces may look down on employees if they choose to not have it, or that it could become mandatory to show proof that you've had it.

bumblingbovine49 · 19/09/2020 16:48

Immediately it is offered

HipHopBanzai · 19/09/2020 16:57

Yes, in the same way that I get the flu jab.

I might not be high risk but people I love are and I want to help protect them.

sirfredfredgeorge · 19/09/2020 17:19

Pandemrix wasn't even particularly rushed through in licensing terms, side effects still came out simply because they were too late to be found, the normal gradual introduction of vaccines is part of what makes them safe.

I would prefer to be deliberately exposed to the virus.

Showchin2 · 19/09/2020 17:28

Yes, please! Ds tried to get on the trial but wasn't in the right postcode area. We're happy to get it asap Smile

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