Vaccines: Refusers versus aspirers

[PuzzledObserver]

I sometimes think I'm living in an alternate universe.

There are all these posts over social media, including mumsnet, about how vaccines are evil, they are all sent to kill us, DO YOUR RESEARCH you sheeple.

And then there are all the other posts about so relieved my Mum had her vaccine, it's not fair that I/my mum/my friend who is CEV hasn't got their vaccine yet and the EU are trying to shaft us.

It's a bit disconcerting, if I'm honest. But then I look at the takeup numbers, and it does seem that those who want the vaccine are the large majority.

So, which are you?

1. Had it/will have it when invited
2. No way, Jose
3. Mmmm.... still deliberating.

I'm a 1.

1. Waiting for second dose.

1. in theory, but wearily - that's if an extreme reaction to childhood vaccine doesn't exclude me, if and when I do get invited. DP who is the same age has had his first one as he has a close contact job and will do anything, while simultaneously grumbling, to protect his livelihood and his clients.

I’m option number 4 exercising my (currently still existing) right to keep my medical history private.

1

2, but I am not an anti-vaxxer. There a a multitude of reasons why someone may not want it.. some based in fear.

1

1 - although nothing to do with any personal fear of catching covid (think I've had it, likely to be low risk anyway) but a sense of getting the thing that will give me more freedom and stopping feeling like a disgusting disease carrier.

Totally unlike any other vaccination I've had (have had plenty for travel reasons previously) where it was just about the personal risk of disease.

1. But not because I think vaccines are evil and sent to kill us

My friend's husband believes the conspiracy theories and was told fine he just wont be joining the family on an all expenses paid trip to Maldives this Christmas. Even that won't budge him. (Tickets have been bought, he really isn't going).

1

2, but because of health reasons, not anti-vax ones.

3

I'm a 3, but I was a 1 a few weeks ago. I've become much more anxious and uncertain about it recently

1. I see no reason to have it at this point while cases are really low and likely to remain so.

It's something to be revisited in September, by which time there should be more info about it available.

1
Had second one Wednesday
Dh had his Friday.
It's the one bright light in all of this.

Somewhere between 1 and 3.

I'll have it because we're supposed to, it might give another layer of protection to vulnerable people I come into contact with and it will probably be needed for travel etc. But I'm dreading it and am happy for it to take a long time to get to me.

2
My personal view is that the younger generation should develop some natural immunity to it much like cold and flu viruses. Otherwise we will be forever dependent on vaccines to guard against new strains. I realise we would still get infected by new strains, but we surely would have some immunity so wouldn't be very likely to develop serious symptoms. I am concerned about the lack of colds and flu infections people have had throughout this pandemic. Once those numbers go up I think some people will develop a harsher illness due to reduced resistance as a result of hiding from all the germs for one+ year/s.

I was a 3 when the vaccine was first released but now they've jabbed millions without issues I'm very keen to have mine.

Had the first jab two weeks ago. No regrets, no hesitation, no fears and no anxiety. I desperately wanted that vaccine

1

1

Five weeks on from jab 1. Husband and both my parents due jab 2 in April. All fine.

1
But as people get younger and less vulnerable, take up will decline, which I think is fine.

The vaccine is expected to give longer lasting protection than the virus itself, that's one reason why Brazil is so bad, second catching

and if lots of people get the virus it mutates , they catch if again and the vaccine becomes less effective and lockdown again