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.

I'm usually a 1. Had all my vaccines and have signed up the children for theirs.

However, I don't take the flu vaccine and I won't be taking this.

I did an online Oxford calculator that said my risk of dying with Covid is 1 in 55,000 (based on age, sex, BMI, underlying conditions) as extrapolated from data in first 3 months of the pandemic. Do likely lower now, given lower prevalence.

On the other hand, emerging data from Norway with 4 CVST deaths (geared to women under 50 - my age group) out of 120,000 vaccines administered suggests a higher risk from the vaccine than the disease. EMA have actually called it a safety signal in their most recent update on the website so how anyone can extrapolate it's safe from that, I don't know.

So as someone further upthread said, it's a no brainer. I'll pass for now. So a 3 for me until data suggest otherwise.

1. I've had my first dose of AZ and I'm very grateful for it.

Interesting stats confuseddotcom90. I know someone who spent sometime in a medically induced coma for COVID. 4months latter and he can almost walk 1/2mile unaided... it's not just about risk of death. You've thought about your position but maybe should consider a wider range of outcomes?

2 you couldn't pay me any money to have it

Allergies. Don't want to die. Agreed with drs that it's not safe and I've had covid and it was milder than a cold.

Getting so pissed off with endless texts, emails, letters asking me to have it (I'm CEV but haven't ever shielded) as it's in my medical records that I can't. I feel hounded.

@confuseddotcom090
As the pp said it’s not about death, my healthy 35 year old work colleague is now on the kidney transplant list and will never have the life they had before they had covid, so many people are getting life changing illness and disability from this virus.

Vaccination isn’t just about personal protection, it seems to be our only way out of this horror show.

Somewhere between 2 and 3.

I'm healthy, under 40 and keep myself in shape. I believe that I had the virus very early, before it was possible in this country to easily get tested and I have nothing to fear from it.

I also don't like the developing narrative around unlocking social activities and travel only for the vaccinated so I'm kicking back to an extent.

I started as a 3 and was relatively pleased not to be a priority so I could watch what happened with other people. Judging by my jealousy of other people who are younger than me and now being jabbed while I haven't had the call yet (I'm 40s) I'd say I'm definitely now a 1!

1. I had my first dose of Pfizer back in January (not CEV, I work for the NHS) and very grateful to have had it. I'm due my 2nd one on the 6th April

^Vaccination is like training soldiers before they go off to war, not putting some magic, time-limited forcefield around them while leaving them clueless and helpless in the meantime.^

This is a brilliant analogy!

1. Had 2 doses, first one when breastfeeding. Also had covid. So so happy to do my bit to keep my vulnerable patients safe and protect the various people who care for my children while I work.

I'm a 3.
Tbh, I wish I didn't have reservations but I do. I have been against the lockdown/restrictions for a long time and I suppose this has inevitably led to an "anti" stance in general. I have been called by my gp and offered a jab but i haven't taken up the offer so far.

I'm so happy to see barely any 2s!

I’m a 1.

I haven’t seen anything antivax on my Facebook but I did find a sticker on a lamp post with a picture of Bill Gates as a clown which said ‘DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE’ they can make a vaccine in a few months when it normally takes 20 years?
Well yes.

I have been against the lockdown/restrictions for a long time and I suppose this has inevitably led to an "anti" stance in general. I have been called by my gp and offered a jab but i haven't taken up the offer so far.

I am really struggling to understand this stance. Surely, the more people are vaccinated, the sooner the restrictions can be lifted, so getting the vaccine should be a no-brainer for those who are fed up of lockdown? Or are you saying that you've lost so much trust in the scientists because you didn't agree with lockdown that you don't trust the vaccines either?

I can understand people having lost faith in the government. This whole thing has been so badly mismanaged. However, I find it really hard to understand why people doubt the scientists. Do people think that they have some sort of secret agenda other than just trying to keep us all safe?

1

1. I don't know why and can't explain it but something doesn't sit right with me about the way it's being pushed by the government. I've had all my other vaccines and so have my 2 dc but I won't be rushing for this one. Luckily I'm right down towards the bottom of the list so I have plenty of time to think about it and make an informed decision.

@OpheliasCrayon, I am genuinely interested to know if you don't mind to share, what kind of allergies prevents you to have vaccines?
My dc has multiple allergies to food and others like dust/pollen/animals. Luckily, he doesn't have any known allergies to drugs, so I am willing for him to take it. From what I read, the adverse effects on people who has allergies is to do with ingredients, and those with allergies to certain drugs etc, not food or environmental allergies.

I've had mine, was it a choice or societal pressure, who knows?

In terms of blood clots, my MIL has just died as a result of a blood clot, covid in January (only picked up as she was in hospital so subject to regular testing), jab a week or so before the final hospital admission. So covid, jab, one of those things despite being on blood thinners? Who knows. We still haven't heard back from the coroner.

I don't think this is reason enough though for the population as a whole to stop having it.

[quote rosie39forever]@LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus
The trouble with letting the virus rampage through the younger generation to build up natural immunity is that it gives it more opportunity to mutate which could then render the current vaccines less effective for the older and vulnerable people so we would be back to square one with death and serious disease.
Oh and definitely a 1.[/quote]
This ^^

1. Here. I had mine last week and just felt a bit tired and headachey for about a day afterwards.

I have just read that the age demographic of patients in ICU in France is now much lower. IMO everyone who can be vaccinated safely should have the vaccine.

@AlexaShutUp

I have been against the lockdown/restrictions for a long time and I suppose this has inevitably led to an "anti" stance in general. I have been called by my gp and offered a jab but i haven't taken up the offer so far.

I am really struggling to understand this stance. Surely, the more people are vaccinated, the sooner the restrictions can be lifted, so getting the vaccine should be a no-brainer for those who are fed up of lockdown? Or are you saying that you've lost so much trust in the scientists because you didn't agree with lockdown that you don't trust the vaccines either?

I can understand people having lost faith in the government. This whole thing has been so badly mismanaged. However, I find it really hard to understand why people doubt the scientists. Do people think that they have some sort of secret agenda other than just trying to keep us all safe?

My desire to get back to some semblance of normal will most likely lead me to reluctantly having a vaccine. However I still have misgivings regarding the government management of the crisis - it would be a long list if I listed my concerns here. Wheeling in Tony Blair hasn't helped either- I don't trust the man at all and have a pavlovian distrust of anything he is involved in.

Had both doses, 2nd on Thursday, don’t feel 100%, but okay.
Felt like I should, to protect myself, my frail parents, my patients, and had been following the research from the start.

@AnnaForbes, I feel the same about Tony Blair, his voice patterns and body language scream ‘Dishonest, don’t trust me!’

However I still have misgivings regarding the government management of the crisis - it would be a long list if I listed my concerns here. Wheeling in Tony Blair hasn't helped either- I don't trust the man at all and have a pavlovian distrust of anything he is involved in.

I completely share your distrust of the politicians, including both our current government and Tony Blair. However, I do have faith in the scientists and I trust them when they say that we should take the vaccine.

[quote roguetomato]@OpheliasCrayon, I am genuinely interested to know if you don't mind to share, what kind of allergies prevents you to have vaccines?
My dc has multiple allergies to food and others like dust/pollen/animals. Luckily, he doesn't have any known allergies to drugs, so I am willing for him to take it. From what I read, the adverse effects on people who has allergies is to do with ingredients, and those with allergies to certain drugs etc, not food or environmental allergies.[/quote]
Of course, and I also appreciate you asking rather than many people on this board telling me I should be able to have it because they know someone with allergies who can...and of course everyone is different!

The issue is that I react to pretty much every drug or vaccine I take / have. I have multiple chronic illnesses and so Ive taken things for decades. Unfortunately however there is no specific thing that anyone can actually find that I'm allergic or reacting to and it's just seems to be random.... However many of the reactions have been so bad that after I've been admitted and treated for the symptoms I've always been told to never have it, or anything with same ingredients in again because next time would likely be worse and so in many cases they've said fatal...

I've been told not to have this because I've had covid and it was ridiculously mild (I'm CEV apparently as well so that's good).. So the risk to me of a vaccine (or any drug...new...old... Or in-between ) for an illness that affected me less than a cold, is not worth it.

I also have a blood clotting disease so whilst I know that the blood clot thing has been disproved... It is a little concerning for me on top of everything else that could go wrong with me and medications !

@OpheliasCrayon, Thank you.
I really want to find as much info as possible before the time they start vaccinating children.

1. First dose in February, second one will be May

Dh will eagerly have his once called, as will 18y dd.

They saw me ill with covid. They sat at home whilst I was in hospital for a few days when they couldn't visit me. They've seen how long it's taking to recover from it. Neither want it, neither want to risk passing it to others.

Dd wanted to join the trials but wasn't called up to do so.