To expect to be able to choose not to have the vaccine without being made to feel uncomfortable? *edited by MNHQ at OP's request*

[Drogonssmile]

Risking a flaming here:

I work in the NHS not patient facing. Our Trust has said all non frontline staff are likely to be offered the vaccine next week. (1000 staff have already been done which is brilliant!)

I'm a fit and healthy 39 year old with no underlying health conditions. I am not an anti vaxxer however I am concerned about the lack of long term research that has understandably not been able to be done on the vaccine and have made an informed decision that I probably won't have it. I'd prefer my dose to go to someone more vulnerable. I believe this should be my choice.
My colleague is 62 and is all for having the vaccine which is great. I said I probably wouldn't as it doesn't affect transmission only the severity of the illness. Now she isn't speaking to me.
AIBU?

(Also given the amount of setbacks and govt lies/omissions in the last 10 months I wouldn't be at all surprised if the vaccine isn't the silver bullet we've been told to expect. The way things are going I can see is in the same situation in 12 months time).

MNHQ please can you change the title to "to expect to be able to choose not to have the vaccine without being made to feel uncomfortable?"

Thank you.

Apologies again for using the wrong words.

@nopeaceforthewicked

I'm horrified (but not surprised) that non frontline workers are being offered it for no other reason than they work for the nhs.

OP no idea what you do but there's plenty in the nhs who are at no greater risk than anyone else, and significantly less than shop workers, or dare I say it, teachers.

To be reasonable, our local trust is offering spare end of cycle vaccines to staff on site at the time rather than waste it.

Also without none frontline staff, the NHS delivery teams couldnt function. Cleaners, record keepers, IT support, recruiters, security etc are essential to keep the whole system moving and its surely beneficial to minimise sickness and cross contamination in these groups?

I'm not disputing that teachers and other contact roles need the vaccine asap and we should be pushing for the rapid expansion and training of more delivery teams. But logistically, if the vax is given on an NHS site, its sensible to do those at work on site at the time.

Tell you what op, I'll drive to wherever in the country you are (I'll go anywhere, anytime) pick up your invitation letter, go have the shot for you, bring you back all the paperwork and you can lie to your colleagues and say you've had it.

A friend of mine, early 40s, no underlaying conditions, slim, fit non smoker has come out of hospital with it.

She said she's never felt so ill in her life and never been so scared of dying. She caught it at work in a nursing home although non direct patient facing.

It could be you.

@Avenueofcherryblossom

I am concerned about the lack of long term research that has understandably not been able to be done on the vaccine and have made an informed decision that I probably won't have it. I'd prefer my dose to go to someone more vulnerable.

Really!!! So you are so concerned about the safety of the vaccine you want a vulnerable person to have your dose?

If it's their choice to yes. I'm not here to judge anyone.

@TillysMum02

So you will pay out of your own pocket for the treatment you will need when you catch covid then?

Assume you also agree that those who are obese should pay too?

The op’s chance of being hospitalised due to COVID is like .000001%

The attitudes to people who don’t want the vaccine )which is completely their choice) is disgusting.

@Drogonssmile

MNHQ please can you change the title to "to expect to be able to choose not to have the vaccine without being made to feel uncomfortable?"

Thank you.

Apologies again for using the wrong words.

Umm mnhq aren’t reading your thread, you need to report post then ask directly.

And you know having the vaccine makes her uncomfortable. It also will reduce transmission in all likely hood. She will still have a risk of getting ill if you get it.

She’s right to be unhappy about that. You can’t be putting her at risk and demanding she makes you feel good about it.

I have reported it thanks @Bluntness100

Actually they think the vaccines WILL stop transmission. We are waiting for the data.
I personally would also be livid and find it hard to talk to you.
Herd immunity works when most people get vaccinated. Do your bit and end this pandemic.
And surely you know that any side effects (extremely rare) show up in the first few weeks of a vaccine being given? You don’t need long term data

The op’s chance of being hospitalised due to COVID is like .000001%
Oh dear! Somebody can't do maths.

I'm non frontline nhs and have been offered the vaccine. I might not be front line, but I work in an area with v vulnerable patients close by and work with front line staff.

@Oly4

Actually they think the vaccines WILL stop transmission. We are waiting for the data. I personally would also be livid and find it hard to talk to you. Herd immunity works when most people get vaccinated. Do your bit and end this pandemic. And surely you know that any side effects (extremely rare) show up in the first few weeks of a vaccine being given? You don’t need long term data

If that's true and there is evidence that it will end this shitshow then I would certainly consider having it.

YABU. The vaccine is not 100% effective. So you are, effectively, putting your older colleagues at risk when you refuse to have it.

YABU

I think people that have not had the vaccine I’m the future should be banned travelling, going to events with large amounts of people.

So if you get sick you’ll still expect the NHS to treat you

Don’t be an idiot

@TrashCanBird

How exactly are you being discriminated against? People are entitled to think you're an idiot.

This.

The attitudes to people who don’t want the vaccine )which is completely their choice) is disgusting.
I agree that it is completely their choice. Their choice may have a price though, both social and medical, they made their choice and shouldn't moan about the price.

@SpaceOp

YABU. The vaccine is not 100% effective. So you are, effectively, putting your older colleagues at risk when you refuse to have it.

How? They will be offered it before me.

The NHS already mandates vaccinations for staff working in certain clinical areas. In fact even to work as a bank staff, you would need evidence of your TB and Hep B vaccinations. So it's not a great step to consider that they may make it compulsory for NHS staff in all patient facing areas and possibly redeploy staff who won't have it. And if there's not enough back room roles then maybe some people will lose their jobs.

Respect the rights of the individual - but community sometimes needs to come first.

Using up spare vaccine is one thing ?even though with adequate planning there wouldn't be any). But OP has said its planned for next week. Planned? Planned to have spare?

@AgeLikeWine

YABU.

How are you being ‘discriminated against’? You are entitled to refuse to be vaccinated, and to accept any consequences of that decision. Your colleague is entitled to disapprove of your decision, and to make you aware of her disapproval.

Absolutely. It isn't discrimination.

I also am a non-frontline nhs worker. I am in no way an anti vaxxer or a COVID denier (I sit and trawl through medical records of patients daily seeing how much some have suffered toward the end of life due to COVID) however I will also not be having the vaccine when I am eligible to do so. I am currently trying to conceive and I do not believe the research is thorough enough in pregnancy. My sister also works for the nhs - very frontline in A&E - she is also declining the vaccine for the same reason as myself however she is not currently trying at the moment. Everyone has the option you do what is right for yourself @Drogonssmile

You're concerned about the lack of long term research yet happy for your shot to go to someone more vulnerable? That doesn't sound as charitable as you think it does. Of course we don't know what side effects might appear down the line but we know for sure what the effects of Covid can be. You can't be 100% sure you have no underlying health issues either.
Your choice of course but don't expect not to be discriminated against.

Discrimination? You're not killing any stereotypes about anti vaxxers and their persecution complex. You are being a bit of a twat and people will think worse of you for it. That's how it goes. But don't pretend you are a victim.

I wouldn't speak to you either as I'd have zero respect nor interest in you.

Do us a favour though? Stop spouting about informed decisions if your research equates to youtube and a doctor from fb.