Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

How honest should I be with my relative?

64 replies

2345AnotherName · 03/12/2020 12:27

A close family member who I don't live with works in a hospital as admin. She has just texted me saying that she has received a letter inviting her to have the vaccine. I was surprised as I didn't think her role would be included but very happy it's been offered to her. Anyway, in her text she asked me if I thought she should take it, as it might not be 'safe'. She went on to hint at anti-vax theories.

I am absolutely fuming that she could frankly be this stupid to believe these theories, or even question the safety of the vaccine. However, this is unfortunately in line with her approach to the pandemic generally. She's been having people round during lockdown, and now Tier 2 for frivolous reasons, has ignored the Christmas bubble rule and will be mixing with at least 5 households at Christmas. She won't be opening any windows or following the safety guidance. (I'm going nowhere near and she couldn't comprehend why I am choosing not to mix).

She fails to follow the news or the briefings, which is her choice, but then she hasn't acted responsibly. She thinks the Xmas rule is daft since she's been going to work in a hospital and mixing with people daily, and her kids have been going to school. All her kids are following suit and are completely clueless about the virus and seem to think it simply doesn't affect them. I get really angry as I feel passionately that we all have a responsibility to the vulnerable in our communities. It makes my blood boil to witness their lax attitude.

Up till now, although I've been fuming I've kept out of it mostly as I didn't feel it was my role to preach or tell her off (she's my elder, if that makes any difference). Now she's asked my advice about the vaccine.

I'm tempted to let rip and have a right go at her and while I'm at it point out all the ways she's putting people at risk! But again I know it isn't my place.

How far should I go with my advice on response to her question?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 03/12/2020 17:34

Are you going to ignore his advice?

No of course not. I don’t know how you got that from my post.

You accuse me of trying to start an argument but you seem determined to see things that just aren’t there.

Original poster
2345AnotherName · 03/12/2020 17:35

But do we wish to accept a vaccine that has had rushed trials and had new laws passed to make it possible to roll out so quickly with limited testing, no we don’t.

Wow, I have no words. Ignoring all the science and the professional advice and endangering yourselves and others, adding to the strain on the NHS.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 03/12/2020 17:37

He also said that if everyone invited for a vaccine has it then 99% of Covid-19 deaths could be prevented.

Because those vulnerable people will have been vaccinated and won’t experience serious disease.

It is highly likely that the vaccine will stop covid transmission but we don’t have the data yet. That’s not a reason to decline the vaccine.

AlwaysBehindTheCurve · 03/12/2020 17:38

OP, why did you make up a scenario involving an anti vaxxer relative working in a hospital, instead of just being clear you wanted to lecture everyone on what they should be doing?

Original poster
2345AnotherName · 03/12/2020 18:43

@AlwaysBehindTheCurve um... ok.

OP posts:
trulydelicious · 03/12/2020 20:27

@Powerof4

I really hate the way debate about vaccination is polarised. I don't think it helps anyone change their opinions

It makes me uncomfortable when there is talk about help change opinions, as if someone who has a different view should be indoctrinated until they come round to an acceptable belief

I'm not talking about the OP and FB conspiracy theories by the way but more in general

cassgate · 03/12/2020 21:54

Anyone else picked up on the fact that they don’t know if it affects fertility. It obviously doesn’t matter to the over 50’s but once it gets rolled out to the under 40’s it does.

PurpleDaisies · 03/12/2020 22:03

@cassgate

Anyone else picked up on the fact that they don’t know if it affects fertility. It obviously doesn’t matter to the over 50’s but once it gets rolled out to the under 40’s it does.
I haven’t seen any credible suggestion that it affects fertility. Where have you read this?
AlwaysBehindTheCurve · 03/12/2020 22:04

Bloody hell, if they can find a vaccine that causes infertility they’ll make a bloody fortune. Far easier than a vasectomy or female sterilisation.

AlwaysBehindTheCurve · 03/12/2020 22:05

And as a 36 year old female who has finished my family and doesn’t want to take hormonal contraception for the next 15 years I’d be first in line.

Billie18 · 03/12/2020 22:11

@cassgate

Anyone else picked up on the fact that they don’t know if it affects fertility. It obviously doesn’t matter to the over 50’s but once it gets rolled out to the under 40’s it does.
I haven't heard that but most drug trails don't use women of fertile age because of potential risks to unborn babies. Because of this there has been no tests on pregnant women and because the risk is not known pregnant women or women who intend to become pregnant have been advised not to get the vaccine.
katy1213 · 03/12/2020 22:17

Mind your own business. If she decides not to, somebody else will get her dose - so it's not as if it makes the blindest bit of difference.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread