Poll on compulsory covid vaccination in 2021-2023

[lljkk]

I don't know what real policy will be, I just wondered about gauging the range of views of readers on this board (chance for lurkers to reply). I will summarise replies if more than 20. Which of the below policies is closest to your own preference, about what the covid vaccination policy should be, for UK adults in 2021-2023?

1. Optional for everyone, not required by any employer or for customers of a business to show evidence or "reasonable excuse" not to have had it

2. Not compulsory for all, but health and social care employers can legally require the jab for staff who work with any clinically vulnerable; refusal would be permitted grounds for dismissal if jab not medically contra-indicated

3. Not compulsory for all, but any employers allowed to require the jab for staff (refusal would be permitted grounds for dismissal); businesses allowed to require jab among customers, thus no jab = legally refuse service

4. Compulsory for all adults without medical contra-indications

1. I can’t believe anyone would think I otherwise. Can you not see what a slippery slope that could be if you take away our rights to refuse something like that? My god, people are unbelievably stupid. This has shocked me more than anything I’ve ever read on here before. Forced injections? Bloody hell. I can’t wait for my vaccine but it’s important to me that I have chosen to have it after looking at all the information and making a balanced decision. You’d have to be a complete moron to chose one, don’t the government already have a scary level of control already??

Forced vaccinations = ‘For the greater good’.
Jesus wept. It’s a good job the good citizens of mumsnet have no kind of power or standing in this world.

Bodily autonomy, no medical treatment without informed consent, no coerced medical treatment. These should be red line principles.

Even if someone thinks it is for your own good, even if someone thinks you're selfish, even if someone thinks you're stupid.

If you want to pour oil on the fire of anti-vaccination movements, 4 would obviously be your best option.

3

@soundofsilence1

Another factor to consider is that in the UK the government has given the vaccine manufactuers immunity from prosecution in the case of any problems as part of the deal to secure the vaccines quickly. In the EU this still rests with the manufacturers so they could be sued in the case if serious side effects etc.

In my view this makes it more important that the UK public is given the choice in relation to taking the vaccine.

Another reason they won't make it mandatory...it would open the door for them being held to account for any future long-term health problems associated with the vaccine

1, for the reasons explained above.

1. We have freedom of choice, but our choices have consequences. Our freedom to refuse the vaccine should be balanced against others' right to safety.

[quote bumbleymummy]@littlepeas I actually found it reassuring that the majority opted for 1. That isn’t always reflected on MN threads where the 4s seem to be the most vocal.[/quote]
Agreed! But find it incredibly disturbing how quickly people are prepared to give up basic human rights - plenty of evidence of that on this thread.

1

But what is the right to safety? Where do you draw the line? It is not possible to make life 100% safe.

Enforcing a vaccine (and option 3 is force because the other choice is potentially destitution) is a slippery slope. Letting people in power dictate something like this is dangerous and sets a precedent.

Sorry! That last sentence doesn’t really make sense. It sets a dangerous precedent.

I'm as pro vaccine as you can be but the idea of enforced vaccination is terrifying

People who choose not to get vaccinated for fear of alien invasion need to get sectioned and jabbed under the mental health act!

People are allowed to make different decisions about their health. I am absolutely pro vaccination and comments like this are totally unhelpful in dealing with those who are less about accepting it.

Vaccinating someone against their will is not comparable to enforcing public health restrictions about who can meet where and with who.

People who choose not to get vaccinated for fear of alien invasion need to get sectioned and jabbed under the mental health act!

I hope you are joking. I have been sectioned and jabbed. It is distressing as hell. For you to suggest it so lightly is fucking offensive.

1. Anyone voting 4 would have made an excellent Nazi!

Because wanting to keep everyone safe is the same as wanting to kill millions of people, @PatsyStone39 ?

3

1. Because bodily autonomy should be sacrosanct. And no I'm not an anti vaxxer, I can just see where once you start on this journey of mandating medical treatment you will end up.

@AgnesNaismith

Because wanting to keep everyone safe is the same as wanting to kill millions of people, *@PatsyStone39* ?

Because the end justifies the means and 'the greater good' trumps the rights of individuals to object to medical intervention?

Agree Wine.

IMO, anyone pushing others into doing something for 'the greater good' is at best jumping on the 'greater good' bandwagon and naive; the same for anyone not seeing what the potential problem is.

Individuals making their own decisions about their bodies does not make them selfish, whatever propaganda keeps being pushed.

And I say that as someone a few years ago who wouldn't have seen the issue. I used to be all for the 'greater good'.

Nobody would be forced to have the vaccine under option 3 . It would be a choice. Like travelling to a country where certain vaccines are required. No vaccine no travel.

I'm sorry to cause offence. It was a thoughtless and insensitive and stupid thing to say and said in the heat of the moment. I'm just incredibly grateful for the vaccines. They are our only hope for a return to normal and will save many, many, many lives. Sorry again and I'm sorry you've had to go through that Xeno.

@Viviennemary if the ‘choice’ is to lose your job and therefore your house/any financial security, is it really a choice? It’s not the same as deciding to book a holiday to a different destination instead.