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Original poster

Poll on compulsory covid vaccination in 2021-2023

484 replies

lljkk · 06/02/2021 12:41

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

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 06/02/2021 15:52

3

And totally agree with this

Yes to body autonomy, you have the right to not have the vaccination. But others have the right to not have their lives endangered by your choices.

TheKeatingFive · 06/02/2021 15:53

But if I have the vaccination how am I endangered by you not having it?

There are people who cannot have it. Those refusing would be endangering them.

Nerdygirl · 06/02/2021 15:55

This poll has restored by hope that we have a choice over our own bodies! I would go for 1. If you are vaccinated and healthy people are willing to let their immune system do the job it does well for the majority then why worry what others are doing

MaxNormal · 06/02/2021 15:56

There are people who cannot have it. Those refusing would be endangering them.

I can't have it and I'd be utterly horrified at anyone being forced on my behalf. Its not their problem and my issues should not compel them to have an unwanted medical intervention.

ilovesooty · 06/02/2021 15:56

@HereComesATractor

1

Not at all surprised to see some of the usernames going for 4

Is that necessary?
PurpleDaisies · 06/02/2021 15:58

There are people who cannot have it. Those refusing would be endangering them.

That’s why there needs to be a strong public health campaign promoting the benefits of the vaccine. Not forcing people to do it.

TheKeatingFive · 06/02/2021 16:00

Ok, so people choose not to get it, those who can’t have it are exposed further than they need to be, the virus still circulates at a level that hospitals can’t cope with - what then?

A degree of lockdown continuing indefinitely? Or what’s the answer?

PurpleDaisies · 06/02/2021 16:01

@TheKeatingFive

Ok, so people choose not to get it, those who can’t have it are exposed further than they need to be, the virus still circulates at a level that hospitals can’t cope with - what then?

A degree of lockdown continuing indefinitely? Or what’s the answer?

Where’s the evidence that is going to happen? Vaccine uptake has been really good so far.
MaxNormal · 06/02/2021 16:02

Vaccine uptake is excellent in the UK. Why create problems that don't exist?

SavannahMiasMum · 06/02/2021 16:02

1 as you cannot force anyone to be injected with rubbish into there system. Everyone has a choice

TheKeatingFive · 06/02/2021 16:02

Not forcing people to do it.

I don’t believe anyone should be compelled to have it, however missing out on perks like holidays might be an effective nudge to change people’s minds.

Campaigns explaining the benefits of vaccines have been done to death. They are t very effective as a lot of anti vax sentiment runs very deep.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 06/02/2021 16:03

On balance, 2 - but only on the basis of a proper risk assessment

In principle I'm totally against compulsion; however this still allows for personal choice within the context of the effect on others

Interestingly, there's a thread in "Legal" which suggests some employers are indeed moving towards making vaccines compulsory. It's early days of course, but on the basis of legal advice it appears they expect to win any tribunal cases it may create

firstimemamma · 06/02/2021 16:04
bumbleymummy · 06/02/2021 16:04

@TheKeatingFive

But if I have the vaccination how am I endangered by you not having it?

There are people who cannot have it. Those refusing would be endangering them.

And they would also potentially be endangering others.

It's worth remembering that just because you haven't been vaccinated doesn't mean you're not immune (you could have natural acquired immunity from infection) nor does it mean that you are definitely going to infect someone. Also worth remembering that just because you've been vaccinated you aren't necessarily immune and could still be putting others at risk.

TheKeatingFive · 06/02/2021 16:05

Vaccine uptake is excellent in the UK. Why create problems that don't exist?

I don’t think we can necessarily conclude it’s high enough, as latest reports are suggesting we might need higher numbers vaxxed than anticipated to create herd immunity for emerging variants.

Obviously I hope we don’t have this problem and the UK is in a better position than many countries, but I personally am not convinced it won’t be an issue.

TitInATrance · 06/02/2021 16:06

3

sabrinathemiddleagewitch · 06/02/2021 16:06
fallfallfall · 06/02/2021 16:08

3

AliceMcK · 06/02/2021 16:10

1

100% agree with everything you have said @PicsInRed

BonnieDundee · 06/02/2021 16:12

1

Grannycurls · 06/02/2021 16:16

Some of the treads on the vaccine are bordering on the absurd. There are some posters who would like everyone rounded up by gun point and injected.

I can just see the police holding down these kicking and screaming refusers while a nurse injects them by force.
And yes, If I didn't want to have something put into my body you'd have to use police force to do so. Is this the kind of society we want?

Iliketeaagain · 06/02/2021 16:17

As an HCP who cried happy tears when I got my vaccine and absolutely pro-vaccines and strongly encouraging those I manage to have the vaccine, still 1.

Consent is key in all aspects of health and social care, so going for 2, if we expect all in health and social care to advocate absolute body autonomy and informed consent for those they care for is completely hypocritical, unless you are going to start refusing hospital admission / treatment for patients who refuse to have the vaccine.

TheKeatingFive · 06/02/2021 16:19

so going for 2, if we expect all in health and social care to advocate absolute body autonomy and informed consent for those they care for is completely hypocritical

Criteria for care is not the same as criteria for employment though. Employers have always imposed conditions on employment that would be irrelevant/unethical to apply to something like care.

AquaFairySoul · 06/02/2021 16:23

@MaxNormal

There are people who cannot have it. Those refusing would be endangering them.

I can't have it and I'd be utterly horrified at anyone being forced on my behalf. Its not their problem and my issues should not compel them to have an unwanted medical intervention.

Likewise! I can't have them and I would never in a million years wish anyone forced to have it because of me. How absolutely horrible !
bigvig · 06/02/2021 16:25

1