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Covid

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Original poster

Unsure re vaccination - cancer long time ago

19 replies

StamfordFig · 21/01/2021 08:51

Hear me out - I am NOT anti-vaxx!!!

My DS had leukaemia when he was 4, treatment up until age 8, check ups for 5 years after that and then he was discharged absolutely- no follow ups needed, deemed not at risk/back to normal.

He's 16 now and I was v surprised to receive shielding letters for him last year. Couldn't get to speak to a doctor but the receptionist thought the letter had probably been auto-generated due to his history of cancer which was now a distant memory. He did not shield as it seemed unnecessary.

Anyway, now he's had an invitation to get vaccinated. My first reaction is no, he shouldn't have it as he's not at high risk of complications if he gets Covid and the vaccine could be used by someone more at risk.

Is this the right decision? I'm having second thoughts as he's not been the luckiest lad with his health!

Sorry for long post, I wanted to give all details. Plus, if it matters, he has learning difficulties, autism and attends a special needs school.

Lastly, I do not want to ring the doctors to ask. They are completely overwhelmed.

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 21/01/2021 08:53

He needs to be vaccinated to protect the others at his special school who may be more vunerable healthwise or would find hospitalisation very distressing - does it help to think of it that way?

Original poster

StamfordFig · 21/01/2021 08:54

Oh, I hadn't thought of that!

OP posts:

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 21/01/2021 08:57

Agree it’s probably his situation now rather than his cancer many years ago that has prompted this vaccine offer. I would take it. It’s one vaccine and it won’t stop others needing it getting theirs so I wouldn’t decline for that reason.

PinkDaffodil2 · 21/01/2021 09:00

I think it’s a good question, he isn’t as high risk as he’s ‘supposed’ to be for the category he’s been prioritised as, but I wouldn’t feel guilty about him having it as it must be difficult with his autism, schooling if he is unwell, or passes it on to you, has to isolate etc.
I don’t think it’s definite one way or the other so maybe ask him or base it on if you think he’s be happy to be vaccinated or find it upsetting? You make really sensible points and I don’t think there’s a ‘right’ answer so I’d base it on your family circumstances.

Mindymomo · 21/01/2021 09:01

I’m sure if you got to speak to your doctor they would advise your DS to have the vaccine, due to past medical history. A difficult decision for you, but personally, if he’s been offered I would take it up.

Cornettoninja · 21/01/2021 09:02

I didn’t think either of the vaccines were licensed for under 18’s? Has that changed?

Regardless I would absolutely let my dc have the vaccine if they’d been identified as in an at risk group and will let dd have it when/if it becomes available for children.

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 21/01/2021 09:02

If it’s offered, take it!

Original poster

StamfordFig · 21/01/2021 09:06

Ok. I think I'll talk to him about it and see how he feels. His understanding is very limited though. He's 16 but really he's more like 7 in his ways.

As for the the vaccine being licensed or not for children, I hadn't thought of that. I'm very pro vaccination so just thought if he was offered it, then it must be fine for him to have it. Maybe 16 isn't considered a child anymore?

OP posts:

Topseyt · 21/01/2021 09:06

Just take it. He'll be safer at school if he has been vaccinated, as will those around him.

user1495884620 · 21/01/2021 09:07

@Cornettoninja

I didn’t think either of the vaccines were licensed for under 18’s? Has that changed?

Regardless I would absolutely let my dc have the vaccine if they’d been identified as in an at risk group and will let dd have it when/if it becomes available for children.

I'm not 100% sure but I think it is under 16s rather than under 18s that it isn't licensed for.

iVampire · 21/01/2021 09:08

I have CML and know that all those with haem malignancy have been advised to get the jab, and both types are considered safe (and there is no obvious reason why they shouldn’t work, but there will be studies on samples of recipients to see how well they do)

Haem teams are busy but not over-whelmed. I’d ring the unit where your DS was last treated - perhaps via Macmillan nurse - and see what they have to say

And yes @Cornettoninja the vaccines are licenced for 16+ use

Topseyt · 21/01/2021 09:09

@Cornettoninja

I didn’t think either of the vaccines were licensed for under 18’s? Has that changed?

Regardless I would absolutely let my dc have the vaccine if they’d been identified as in an at risk group and will let dd have it when/if it becomes available for children.

One of the groups (group 6, I understand) is for people aged 16 - 64 with underlying health issues. Of course it can be used on under 18s.

Honestly, just take it.. I don't see why there is even a question here.

user1495884620 · 21/01/2021 09:09

The omni vaccine queue calculator (not an official source granted) says it isn't recommended for under 16s - I thought I had seen it somewhere!

Original poster

StamfordFig · 21/01/2021 09:12

IVampire, it was so many years ago I really don't think they would be able to help would they?

He had ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia).

I know in the years following his treatment and where we attended sporadically for checkups, the whole team changed a lot and he was no longer 'known' - just another kid there for a thumb prick.

OP posts:

Original poster

StamfordFig · 21/01/2021 09:15

Topseyt - there's a question here as I want to do the right thing.

I don't want to take a vaccine if it's unjustified as he's a healthy young man albeit with other issues.

Also, injections cause him distress. It's more manageable now but during his leukaemia treatment, he was forcibly held down again and again just so they could get treatments done. That's left him afraid.

It's not always as clear cut as you think.

OP posts:

Topseyt · 21/01/2021 09:38

To be honest, I think the vaccine is justified for everyone. Especially if they have or have had issues such as your DS has had, even if those issues are now deemed to be in the past.

I understand his issues around needles though. That does make things tricky. A friend of mine had a two year old child who caught a virus many years ago and it attacked her kidneys. They ended up with similar issues around needles and hospitals for some time after that.

Redcherries · 21/01/2021 09:45

He's getting the group 4 priority, which includes 16 + Clinically extremely vulnerable people, group 6 is clinically vulnerable. I'd have a chat with your Dr, I know you say they are overwhelmed but one of the things overwhelming them is trying to get the priority groups vaccinated, we can email our Dr, are you able to do that?

Now I'm going to cry into my coffee asI still haven't had my invite to book even though our area are doing really well rolling them out and lots of shielders I know are being called in!

movingonup20 · 21/01/2021 10:36

Call your gp, they are not overwhelmed, they are quieter than normal for this time of year mine told me yesterday - better still use e consult, I got a reply within 30 mins

Cornettoninja · 21/01/2021 11:15

Fair enough, I don’t know any vulnerable under 18’s so it wasn’t on my radar that 16+ had been included in a group.

It’s a tough one for you to weigh up @StamfordFig but I would urge you to consider how being ill with covid would impact your son or whether receiving the vaccination would open up more avenues of support for you all.

I appreciate the complexities of the offer for you though.

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