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Original poster

Not telling friends, work etc I’ve had the vaccine

87 replies

Lemons1571 · 25/03/2021 20:58

Is anyone else not telling people that they’ve had the vaccine? It’s the current topic of conversation on team calls and when chatting with friends, but I’ve kept quiet. I feel really uncomfortable about discussing my vax status with colleagues, in the same way that I’d feel uncomfortable discussing my medical records in general. I don’t have a job where my vax status is remotely important or relevant as I wfh (not going back to office on the same way as before). Is anyone else not declaring to the world that they’ve had the vaccine? No idea why putting it out to the world makes me cringe. But everyone else is shouting it from the rooftops and others saying congratulations to them, and I wondered if I’m being unreasonable.

OP posts:
WithTeaTree · 25/03/2021 23:29

I’ve told a few people, only when it comes up though. To be honest, I’m not sure most people I know give a shit.

MajesticWhine · 25/03/2021 23:36

If people are cagey about it I assume they are refuseniks and I secretly judge them.

Franklyfrost · 25/03/2021 23:40

If you’re seeing your friends in person then it would help them accurately risk assess the situation for themselves if they know that you’ve had the vaccine as you’ll be much less likely to be infectious. So it would be helpful but not necessary to share that information.

BackforGood · 25/03/2021 23:43

It is not exactly hugely personal- but is entirely up to you. People are discussing it because it is a step towards getting out of this

I mean, I'm not making a public announcement, and haven't updated my FB status or made 'an announcement' at work, but, if it is part of a general topic people are chatting about, I don't think it is equivalent to discussing private medical conditions at all. I'm quite happy to say I've had it, and reassure those who haven't that I was fine after having it - no symptoms etc. I don't really understand why you would want to be secretive about it.

quollaa · 25/03/2021 23:53

I get that. I had mine because I'm late 20s and a carer. Decided not too for ages because I didn't want it, so got abuse from people saying I'm selfish and should do it for others etc but I thought wait and let others who need it more go ahead of me etc. so the. I had it and got wwual abuse from people asking why I was able to have it and assumptions I was pushing in the queue. But I couldn't believe the amount of people asking why I was eligible. If someone has a disability they would feel awful people questioning them. You shouldn't have to explain yourself to anyone. Or justify a personal situation. I hate that anyone not wearing masks had to wear a neck lanyard thing now which is basically a 'I'm disabled' sign. They shouldn't have to announce it to the world to not get abuse from people.

SophieGiroux · 26/03/2021 00:00

I won't be having the vaccine but am sure I'll get abuse for not conforming so am not going to be broadcasting it. Those who think having it will get things back to how they were are living in a dream world. Six months of more government COVID powers has just been announced today. So much for the vaccine ending it all hey?!

SilverStory · 26/03/2021 00:02

I work on a team across the UK, Europe and the US. It's the hot topic of conversation at the moment, and we're all enjoying a game of side effect comparison. I'm the only one of 10 that hasn't had the vaccine yet (lack of supply where I am), but never considered asking anyone why they were eligible. Or judging any of them for getting the jab. Didn't cross my mind. Maybe because we are so distant from each other that I can't possibly know the criteria anywhere. Or maybe people don't actually care that much.

For us, it's lovely to talk about something positive and get excited about enjoying more freedom in the not too distant future. I welcome all chat at work at the moment to lighten the mood and ease the boredom.

XenoBitch · 26/03/2021 00:27

@MajesticWhine

If people are cagey about it I assume they are refuseniks and I secretly judge them.
I don't think you know what a refusenik is.
memberofthewedding · 26/03/2021 00:28

I have a very whingy and over entitled neighbor. She saw the nurses emerging from my house and put their PPE in the bin and asked me if I had my vaccination as a home visit. Before awaiting the answer she began ranting on that she and her husband had to drive across the city for theirs so its not fair that some people have it at home. Ive always played down being disabled so far as the neighbors are concerned as she is a nosy cow. I just shouted "sorry I havnt got my hearing aid in." and went into the house. Its none of her business anyway what vaccinations Ive had.

AcornAutumn · 26/03/2021 00:31

@XenoBitch

It is not something I discuss with my friends really. I wont be having it (MH reasons), and the one friend that did bring it up gave me a load of abuse for my decision despite them knowing exactly why. I should say ex-friend. I don't need that level of vitriol on my life over my medical decisions.
Sorry you were treated like that.
quollaa · 26/03/2021 00:48

@memberofthewedding that's not over entitled that's being a full on bitch/ bully. Thank goodness you can deal with people like her but that behavior could destroy someone else. No one is entitled to know anything or even ask someone else's situation All! None of their business at all!

LongTimeMammaBear · 26/03/2021 05:45

I believe quite strongly the importance of normalising this vaccine and was interested to read above that some people just believed everyone of a certain age had it

My family (parents, siblings, aunts, cousins) are anti vaxxers in relation to this vaccine. Yet I know some of them have had it and asked me not to tell.

So I do think people post it on FB they got it is important to normalise it if they would lie to share it and feel the same. Many people don’t feel need to share and not sharing as you feel it’s personal is of course perfectly acceptable too

110APiccadilly · 26/03/2021 05:47

I had someone (who does know them but not well) ask me whether my parents had had theirs yet the other day. I was so surprised, given they hardly know my parents and it is actually personal info, that I didn't know what to say. I can only think that they knew I wouldn't have had mine (I'm early 30s) and couldn't come up with another topic of conversation!

Sparklingbrook · 26/03/2021 06:10

@SophieGiroux

I won't be having the vaccine but am sure I'll get abuse for not conforming so am not going to be broadcasting it. Those who think having it will get things back to how they were are living in a dream world. Six months of more government COVID powers has just been announced today. So much for the vaccine ending it all hey?!
You have misunderstood what was announced yesterday WRT ‘government COVID powers’.
RampantIvy · 26/03/2021 07:23

@GreenClock

My friend (under 50) has had it because of her BMI. She is embarrassed about her weight so has kept it quiet on SM and at work.
Most of the team I work with have had it, and we have been comparing after vax reactions. We are all boring and sensible and couldn't give a fig what other people think.

I can understand why your friend might keep quiet about her vaccination @GreenClock. I had mine yesterday, and all the people there who were very clearly under 50 were obese.

Literallynoidea · 26/03/2021 07:24

Very odd. I don't understand secretive people at all.

Scottishgirl85 · 26/03/2021 07:27

I don't really understand why it bothers you, but it is up to you. Over half of adults are vaccinated, it's not like you're a rarity. I'm in my 30s and my husband is fully vaccinated as are the majority of our friends due to being doctors etc. It's really a non-issue.

Violetlavenders · 26/03/2021 07:29

It's an exciting time and this is something we have been looking forward to for a year now!

This!

Violetlavenders · 26/03/2021 07:31

Also by telling your friends you are reassuring them about meeting them that you're not infectious.

cryh · 26/03/2021 07:31

@Literallynoidea

Very odd. I don't understand secretive people at all.
Confused newsflash: people are individuals?
cryh · 26/03/2021 07:32

@Violetlavenders

Also by telling your friends you are reassuring them about meeting them that you're not infectious.
It doesn't stop you being infectious, although it reduces it.
LolaSmiles · 26/03/2021 07:32

It's fine not to want to share and it's also fine for people to volunteer the fact they have had it.
Most people don't care that much beyond small talk, in the same way someone might mention having jabs for holidays.

Violetlavenders · 26/03/2021 07:36

I won't be having the vaccine but am sure I'll get abuse for not conforming so am not going to be broadcasting it. Those who think having it will get things back to how they were are living in a dream world.

What's the alternative? Not getting vaccinated and letting the virus continue to infect us?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 26/03/2021 07:37

I haven’t made a big song and dance about mine, as I don’t want to rub people’s noses in the fact I’ve had it. I’m 42 with an underlying health condition but as it doesn’t affect me day to day it might seem like a cheat to others- or they might just really want theirs and feel fed up.

That said I’ve mentioned it where it’s relevant, my immediate team at work know etc