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Original poster

Would you have your infant/toddler vaccinated?

128 replies

doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 10:42

Partner and I have both had our first Covid jabs. Our toddler has had all his immunisations so far too.

I’ve been thinking about what I’d have done had there been a Covid vaccine available for a baby of our age (1)

Honestly, I don’t think I would have gone ahead with it. The risk to babies and small children is so minuscule but they’ve got their whole lives ahead of them. I don’t believe the Covid vaccines to be unsafe at all but there is still that “what if” in the back of my mind regarding long term effects, though everything I’ve read suggests it’s highly unlikely.

I feel quite torn about this decision and I’m curious to know how others feel as I’m sure we’ll have something available for this age group in the near future.

OP posts:
Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 10:47

I should add that often I find myself feeling somewhat “guilty” that my partner and I have some protection and our child does not. It makes him appear vulnerable to me which makes me feel quite scared, hence why I said I do feel torn.

OP posts:
Scottishskifun · 22/03/2021 10:52

I think for a toddler there needs to be a bit more research first. The strong hints are that we all might need a yearly jab like flu.

If studies show that it's safe then I would as it seems to also so far protect against some of the mutations which may be worse for children. I would want to read the studies for myself though before making a full decision.

Roonerspismed · 22/03/2021 10:55

No

MrsHastingslikethebattle · 22/03/2021 10:56

Personally, I wouldn't.

As you say, the risk to small children and babies is so small. I would not give them a flu vaccine so no, I wouldn't give them a Covid one.

deliciouschilli · 22/03/2021 10:58

Yes. My CEV 16yr old had it, no side effects at all, great protection. They will test for safety first and I trust the science.

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 10:59

@MrsHastingslikethebattle The flu vaccine is an interesting one.

Personally I’d happily let my baby have that. The risk of flu to babies seems to be far greater than Covid (so far) - in many European countries babies receive flu vaccination from 6 months of age, yet here it’s 6 months if vulnerable and 2 years if not. Budget, obviously.

OP posts:
titchy · 22/03/2021 11:01

Does anyone bat an eyelid at primary aged children being given the flu vaccine which isn't for their benefit? No, so they won't for covid either in a year or two because it'll be normal.

titchy · 22/03/2021 11:01

[quote doireallyneedaname]@MrsHastingslikethebattle The flu vaccine is an interesting one.

Personally I’d happily let my baby have that. The risk of flu to babies seems to be far greater than Covid (so far) - in many European countries babies receive flu vaccination from 6 months of age, yet here it’s 6 months if vulnerable and 2 years if not. Budget, obviously.[/quote]
Yeah kids don't actually get given the flu vaccine for their benefit you know....

CappuccinoCounter · 22/03/2021 11:02

Yes. they are more likely to have long term effects from getting covid, or someone in their family getting covid. Vaccines don't really have new, delayed effects years down the line like that.

SoCrimeaRiver · 22/03/2021 11:04

Yes if it means we no longer have to do covid tests on them for every cold they bring home from nursery, before they can return to their childcare setting. To my mind, they're more distressing for the DC than a one-off vaccine.

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 11:06

@titchy Does it make a difference though? Babies and the elderly are the most a risk of flu, so if they can get protection against it that makes sense.

OP posts:
ItsSnowJokes · 22/03/2021 11:07

Yes I would. My husband and I are both on a vaccine trial and have said if they wanted younger children we would be happy for our child to participate.

PinkDaffodil2 · 22/03/2021 11:08

Absolutely, the vaccines have been used for hundreds of millions of adults and no safety concerns bourne out, there’s no biologically plausible mechanism of harm to children. Studies are ongoing certainly with over 5s and I’m sure you her children will be next. Currently supply issues mean they won’t be a priority until probably late this year.
Though the risk is obviously way lower than for older adults, there is a risk of direct harm to infants (especially PIMS) and indirect harm (passing it on to adults in the household who get ill, not being able to unlock society is bad for kids, risk of new variants, continued social distancing and school / nursery closures).
I’ve never queried kids having flu immunisation though, or boys having rubella for heard immunity.

PinkDaffodil2 · 22/03/2021 11:10

Children’s flu vaccines are absolutely to protect their grandparents not them.

Neolara · 22/03/2021 11:16

"Children’s flu vaccines are absolutely to protect their grandparents not them."

I'm not sure that's entirely true. If that was all there was to it, why is my child with asthma offered the flu jab and my other DCs aren't?

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 11:21

@Neolara It’s not true. Flu is dangerous to children especially under 5, and the elderly. They don’t just have the jab to “protect their grandparents”

OP posts:
ChristinaYang10 · 22/03/2021 11:22

@titchy

Does anyone bat an eyelid at primary aged children being given the flu vaccine which isn't for their benefit? No, so they won't for covid either in a year or two because it'll be normal.
Plenty of people do.

But I’d happily give my DD (she’s nearly two) the covid vaccine once tested and licensed for her age.

covetingthepreciousthings · 22/03/2021 11:22

I don't think I would.. but a PP made a good point that I would possibly consider it if it meant an end to isolating every time they were ill..

HSHorror · 22/03/2021 11:22

I would. Because this is a nasty virus and it very likely has long term consequences for some people.
Also natural immunity may not last so they get it every 6m. And next time they get it could be vbetter or worse.
And on a population level that is a lot of illness/cost/disability.

HereComesATractor · 22/03/2021 11:28

I would once licensed for children, but it is worth noting that the flu jab isn’t routinely offered to the under-2s, so where are the arguments that the under-2s are exposing their grandparents to significant risk from flu? No one complains about that

Roonerspismed · 22/03/2021 11:28

I bat my eyelids at the flu vaccine for school children actually.

I don’t believe it a morally right to vaccinate one group for the benefit of another. There is no benefit to children with the flu vaccine and arguably we don’t know the long term effects. So I decline and many others do, too, even if they have received other vaccines. Covid is no different

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 22/03/2021 11:30

@Roonerspismed I don’t understand this at all.

It’s widely accepted in the medical community that flu is most dangerous to children under 5, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women & the elderly.

Where has this idea come from that the flu vaccine is only to prevent transmission to the elderly!?

OP posts:
Nootkah · 22/03/2021 11:31

Yes in a heartbeat. The media and conspiracy theorists are hyping this panic up unnecessarily.

Megan2018 · 22/03/2021 11:35

If it had been tested on and licensed for children I’d review the data and make an informed decision, just like I would for any other vaccine. If the data was good then yes I’d vaccinate m. But there’s no data yet, so no.

Cloudyrainsham · 22/03/2021 11:37

No I wouldn’t.

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