Choosing not to get vaccine

[InnerDiscomfort]

Not looking to start a fight, but interested if you have made the decision not to get the vaccine and have no condition that you know of that would stop you, why not?

Family members abroad have decided not to get the vaccine (Pfizer I think). Vague concerns about it not being safe and/ or tested enough. They both work outside the home and have families. Fairly fit and healthy so unlikely to be seriously affected by COVID, under 50 years of age.

It's not something I agree with but up to them I guess. I'm also unlikely to get ill but had my first vaccine mainly to help stop the spread (and I'd like to go abroad!)

So if you haven't had it, I'm interested in your reasoning if you would care to share.

I only know one person in real life who have said they won’t be getting the vaccine. Unfortunately they are a Covid denying, anti vaxx nutter who believes the 5G conspiracy theories! Everyone else I know has said they are happy to have had it, regardless of which vaccine they had

I know two people and it’s because one of them has had Covid, so doesn’t think they need the vaccine 🙄, and the other is scared of needles 🙄

@PinkSparklyPussyCat Me too. Apparently my kids will be orphaned in 3 years as I had the vaccine.

Yes, it’s still in the testing phase and frankly I don’t want to be a guinea pig. I’m under 50. Reasonably healthy. Have never had the flu vaccine and don’t see the need to have this. I have absolutely nothing against those who choose to have it. My perspective is my body my choice.

That’s awful @Northernsoulgirl45. I was also given a lecture on the dangers oh antihistamines and what I’m doing to my body by taking them!

I want Pfizer or Moderna but am not willing to take AZ. I'm just too old to be able to be given a choice (I'm 40). If the risk of clots for a 39 year old is considered so bad that they will now be offered an alternative, I consider the risk to be too high for me too. Plus jabs - so far at least - do not look like they will be a requirement for travel, which was the main reason for me to get it done.

I'd have Pfizer or Moderna like a shot (ha!) though.

Not having my second one as it’s clear they don’t know all they need to know about the effects of AstraZeneca. Tbh I’m a bit baffled how I got so swept up in the hype that I went for my first. Feel like I’m standing outside of the fog now watching all my young healthy peers race off to get a vaccine that we don’t fully know the risk of to protect themselves from something that 30% of them wouldn’t even get symptoms from.

I’ve had Covid twice. First time was nasty and dragged out for a couple of months (with pneumonia) Second time was a nasty headachey cold like affair and I was bettter after 10days, the loss of smell lingered longer.
I’m getting my jab tomorrow. I don’t want to have Covid a 3rd time.

I am not getting it (severe needle and medical phobia). I know a few others who wont be getting it but none are anti-vaxx or conspiracy theorists. Just have the same concerns a lot of other people do.

Unfortunately they are a Covid denying, anti vaxx nutter who believes the 5G conspiracy theories!

I was hoping for better signal near work following my first vax, even if not quite 5G level. Nothing yet. Maybe after my second next week?! ;)

Plus jabs - so far at least - do not look like they will be a requirement for travel, which was the main reason for me to get it done.

It depends where you want to visit though, as they may have restrictions for unvaccinated people whilst there.

For example the CDC has different guidelines regards meeting indoors, mixing, social distancing, masks,etc for fully vaccinated people. The rules are stricter for unvaccinated people.

We are off to the US later this year, all being well, so being fully vaccinated may well make a difference to us.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if you actually knew more refusers. Many people wisely decide to keep it to themselves, rather than being unfairly judged.

Interesting. No one I know in real life has refused. Some are anxious and some are waiting for non AZ but all plan to get / have got.

From my perspective I guess time will tell. I have a fairly fatalistic attitude towards these things so I'll wait with interest to see what happens on a population basis.

My DH isnt having it as he believes that as a 30 odd year old with no health conditions covid is not a significant risk to him - his words- I agree its statistically unlikely to be however if he does get ill from covid there will zero sympathy from me

@Abraxan

Plus jabs - so far at least - do not look like they will be a requirement for travel, which was the main reason for me to get it done.

It depends where you want to visit though, as they may have restrictions for unvaccinated people whilst there.

For example the CDC has different guidelines regards meeting indoors, mixing, social distancing, masks,etc for fully vaccinated people. The rules are stricter for unvaccinated people.

We are off to the US later this year, all being well, so being fully vaccinated may well make a difference to us.

If the position changes re travel, hopefully I'll have had Pfizer or Moderna by then. The places I want to go to either look like they will accept a negative test, or sadly look like they won't be open for tourists for the foreseeable. I am prepared to wait a while.

@Serenschintte

Yes, it’s still in the testing phase and frankly I don’t want to be a guinea pig. I’m under 50. Reasonably healthy. Have never had the flu vaccine and don’t see the need to have this. I have absolutely nothing against those who choose to have it. My perspective is my body my choice.

This isn't true. Pfizer have temporary approval and have applied for permanent. All drugs released by EUA have passed stage 3 testing. I've been in a drug trial for the hopefully next released. This will be one you will all want. Different to all current vaccines without the issues.

Fear of needles is a bad excuse.
If you end up in hospital with Covid you'll have to get over your needle fear quickly.

Ppl with needle fears can tell the vaccinator and they will make it as easy as possible.

*Fear of needles is a bad excuse.
If you end up in hospital with Covid you'll have to get over your needle fear quickly.

Ppl with needle fears can tell the vaccinator and they will make it as easy as possible*

Looks like you don't understand phobias at all.... they are a reason, not an excuse... and are also recognised mental health disorders. Sorry you do not see it that way.

I will get it. Not because I believe I am likely to be hugely adversely affected by COVID (32, healthy BMI and no underlying conditions) but because I believe, very strongly, in herd immunity from vaccination. I genuinely believe not to if you can is entirely selfish.

I am currently 30 weeks pregnant though and since I suspect I will be very near the end of my pregnancy when I'm offered it, I will delay til after the baby is born. In 3 pregnancies I've never taken a single paracetamol or gaviscon (depaite very much needing them) so I am just erring on the side of caution. (Though i have always had my flu and whooping cough vaccines when pregnant).

I suspect I'll regret that decision deeply if I get COVID with a newborn though.

@Serenschintte

Yes, it’s still in the testing phase and frankly I don’t want to be a guinea pig. I’m under 50. Reasonably healthy. Have never had the flu vaccine and don’t see the need to have this. I have absolutely nothing against those who choose to have it. My perspective is my body my choice.

This

OP your person is wrong on their risk assessment. Sounds like someone needs to present them with the correct facts. However after that I believe in choice. They have the right not to have the vaccine. Like I have the right to have it. Their choice is frustrating to me but I would respect it if they are not nutty and they learn the facts first.

I'm a nurse and I am not getting it. Certainly not anti-vax, medicine etc.... I am one of 3 where I work who hasn't had it and rest of staff are constantly telling us to get it! Concerns are about unknown side effects, fertility, etc.
I have already had Covid, so I figure I already have as much immunity as I will get, a vaccine may extend it now it has been about 8 months since I had Covid. However there are new variants in this country the vaccine doesn't work for. That in combination with concerns about unknown side effects, not worth it to me.

@Wellbythebloodyhell

My DH isnt having it as he believes that as a 30 odd year old with no health conditions covid is not a significant risk to him - his words- I agree its statistically unlikely to be however if he does get ill from covid there will zero sympathy from me

Lol lovely wife you are. I suppose you won't mourn him if he dies? Seriously tho. What if he took it because you thought he should and then had a bad reaction and got ill, would you have sympathy then?

He's your husband, your life partner. You should feel empathy if he's ill no matter the reason. The way I see it he's made a personal decision and so have you. Respect and honour goes to all corners of life including the pandemic.

I know 5 people who have turned it down.

Two are quite alternative, and if you asked them to do x would do y. They are both fit and healthy.

Another is in his mid 80s, and decided he never goes anywhere anyway. This person is actually quite fit for mid 80s, still works on the family farm, and refuses to even take paracetamol if he's unwell. He won't take flu vaccine either, and I've never actually heard of him going to the doctors.

The final two are under 40, very keen on their keep fit and healthy living, and don't think covid applies to them. They both assume if they have it, they'll have it mild. To them having a vaccine and whatever side effects is more risky than covid.

@JunesChild

I'm a nurse and I am not getting it. Certainly not anti-vax, medicine etc.... I am one of 3 where I work who hasn't had it and rest of staff are constantly telling us to get it! Concerns are about unknown side effects, fertility, etc. I have already had Covid, so I figure I already have as much immunity as I will get, a vaccine may extend it now it has been about 8 months since I had Covid. However there are new variants in this country the vaccine doesn't work for. That in combination with concerns about unknown side effects, not worth it to me.

I do respect your decision not to have the jab. However just thought I would correct a couple of your thoughts. Hope that is ok.

The vaccine has been found to give you a much higher number of antibodies than catching covid. Your immune systems memory and T cells should act the same though.

All the vaccines are thought to be good against all the known variants so far. That includes all the new ones. AZ has preliminary data showing it is good against the India variant. This means the others will be ok too. Pfizer and AZ have been proven against the new Brazilian variant. Etc etc etc. I don't know a lot about Moderna research but it is thought to be the same as the others variant with variants.

I've had a lot of health issues and have had a lot of treatments that haven't worked or have made my life worse. This is one of the few things I get to choose and I've decided to wait a while until more people my age have it and we see how it goes. I'm 25, my GP surgery is offering the vaccine to under 20s currently, and most older groups have had 2 doses. I'm not anti-vax, I wouldn't share my opinion or choice with the aim to convince people of anything, it's entirely mine and I don't share it in real life. My husband is older and has had both doses which I'm glad about.