To anyone who turned their jab down.... (anti-vac/Astra haters)

[Vickles20]

From Sky News (Matt Hancock):-

“There is a "high degree of confidence" that vaccines protect against the Indian variant of COVID-19 - but it can "spread like wildfire" among those who HAVEN’T HAD A JAB, Matt Hancock has told Sky News.”

I spent a lot of time on here when I was due to have my first jab and after it. And I was blown away at the amount of anti-vac nonsense and I nearly fell for it to! You nearly got me!!! But, I went and had it and boy, I’m so glad I did.

So to those who’s role in life it is to spread anti-vac nonsense to us. How are you feeling now? Now that the Indian variant is here, all over our country. And you actually chose to skip/delay for another vaccine or totally decided against it. I’m generally interested. As I’m feeling safe in the knowledge that I’m protected. And safe that I listened to medical advice instead of anti-vac nonsense from Mumsnetters, who interestingly were first time posters with their anti-vac propaganda posts.

@namechangingforthis19586

Scaremongering is scaremongering

No it isn't. It's a made up word used to describe problems by people who would rather not hear them.

It's quite offensive to diminish what is happening in India. A bit I'm alright Jack. And short sighted as we're absolutely not alright.

The comment "scaremongering is scaremongering" refers to people trying to terrify others into either getting or not getting the jab. I don't think we are alright Jack and I am horrified by what's happening in India. But I think to say that this variant will "spread like wildfire" among those who haven't had the jab, when there are people whose medical or mental health prevents them from having a jab, is not fair. I don't think I am diminishing what's happening in India and I am honestly offended that you think this.

@PetraRabbit

The old and vulnerable here have been vaccinated. I want my life back as promised but not holding my breath.

Why do people still spout this shit?

Plenty of people in the vulnerable category are still not fully vaccinated, whether that be they've only had one dose so far, or still in the waiting period from dose 2. Some are still fighting to be able to get a vaccine, and others still can't have the vaccination for medical reasons.

So no, "the old and vulnerable" are not, as a whole, vaccinated.

Hear hear. If you are 38 or older, book your jab now! We'll get out of this mess a lot sooner if we take collective responsibility. There are some people who cannot be vaccinated (drs have said too risky) and others who have conditions that mean they don't develop antibodies, they are relying on us. Our twenty something DD's have had AZ (group 6) as did we, a small risk for the greater good!

They are aiming for a million jabs in a day, they have the stock, they need you to step up. Yes I know about body autonomy but I would like to see anyone over 38 who hasn't been vaccinated or got an appointment temporarily banned from May 17 relaxations - your choice. We could keep to the 21st June if we pull together

As an Indian who has lost extended family and friends in their thirties who were super fit, slim, no health conditions, did not drink, smoke or eat any processed food, and had access to the best medical care ( including some pregnant women) I think some of you have a skewed perception of risk. However, it is your choice.

No doubt people will think I am scaremongering. I would just urge people to consider that not everyone in India is dirt poor, and therefore hit worse by COVID in a way that British people would not be. There are very many extremely wealthy people in India who have access to far better medical care than here, and yet they have had long covid or have died.

However I stand by anyone making choices for themselves

I made the choice to be vaccinated to protect those I work with and close family, elderly relatives, CV children at home.

I did it for them.

Actually I have begun to realise that these threads dont really convince vaxxers or non vaxxers of the opposite point of view. I shall stop posting. We shall have to see how things go. Spreading like wildfire seems overkill, but the idea that you are automatically ok if you are slim and eat well also seems over optimistic.

I've seen somewhere that up take of vaccine over 50 was 95%+, and the people actually refusing the vaccine is about 6% over all, so I'm not so worried about very vocal minority of anti vax people.

Oh dear OP. You have well and truly drunk the Kool Aid. A project fear sponge

This.
Consider the timing of this.... a few days before the largest lifting of restrictions since last summer and just as they’re getting to under 40s in the vaccine roll out where the uptake is likely to be lower? And you don’t think it’s a coincidence?

@Wherediditgo

Oh dear OP. You have well and truly drunk the Kool Aid. A project fear sponge

This.
Consider the timing of this.... a few days before the largest lifting of restrictions since last summer and just as they’re getting to under 40s in the vaccine roll out where the uptake is likely to be lower? And you don’t think it’s a coincidence?

I’m a bit suspicious, our local pharmacy which is doing vaccine has started pleading with over 40s to just walk in and have a jab.

I’ll tell you how I feel now. Not too bad. Tired with a little cough but generally ok.
I’m on day 6 after testing positive on Monday.
I have had AZ in January and March.
GET THE JAB!

Coincidence? Suspicious of what?

What reason do you think the Government have for wanting to maximise vaccination uptake?

I'm feeling extremely anxious and depressed as I have the whole way through.

I'm 29 and have had first dose AstraZeneca. I'd HAPPILY take a second dose of any other vaccine. I'd even let them stick the needle in my bloody eyeball if I had to. But the thought of the second AstraZeneca fills me with absolute dread.

I know the risks are small, I know it's my anxiety talking but unfortunately for me my anxious thoughts are ALOT louder than the rational ones.

@DumplingsAndStew

Coincidence? Suspicious of what?

What reason do you think the Government have for wanting to maximise vaccination uptake?

Exactly as Wherediditgo said.

The problem with these threads is that they invariably fill up with more anti- vac nonsense. Still we are well on the way to having a virus that only kills the stupid!

@Temp023 nice. Not.

What is stupid about a twenty something not wanting AZ when it has been made clear so far from the figures available they are more likely to be badly affected from the jab than Covid?

@Frequentflier

Actually I have begun to realise that these threads dont really convince vaxxers or non vaxxers of the opposite point of view. I shall stop posting. We shall have to see how things go. Spreading like wildfire seems overkill, but the idea that you are automatically ok if you are slim and eat well also seems over optimistic.

No they don’t I agree. Posters dig their heels in and defensive.

I only hope that we don’t get slowed down by those not having it and they’re got their risk assessment right and don’t need health care. Actually it’s ok if they do but not to extent we take hit with other interventions.

@Wherediditgo

Oh dear OP. You have well and truly drunk the Kool Aid. A project fear sponge

This.
Consider the timing of this.... a few days before the largest lifting of restrictions since last summer and just as they’re getting to under 40s in the vaccine roll out where the uptake is likely to be lower? And you don’t think it’s a coincidence?

Yep and an excess of AZ as under 40s are not having that one so plenty for the older folks to have their second one a bit quicker - just in case they were having any second thoughts.

I had my first jab as I am an older person, had I been younger, I may not have bothered. I will leave my second appointment where it is.

I wish they'd just given us a choice of vaccine.

I know they would have struggled with that as due to government fuck ups we were at almost 2000 dead a day when it was in the early stages of roll out and track and trace was shit so we had to get as many as possible vaccinated and it's logistically more difficult to do this if you are offering a choice.

But it would have been better if we'd had a choice, like the countries who dealt with it better had.

I also don't understand the logic of telling us the new variant spreads like wildfire therefore we all need to be vaccinated, while lifting restrictions, tomorrow, on the group that isn't going to be vaccinated any time soon ie pupils.

@Temp023 but it’s people that don’t want the vaccine for their own reasons who are nasty or offensive?

Mumsnet are always quick to comment if the odd person is, but the most nastiness I’ve seen is from people who are pro vaccine.

I've seen on some threads people saying about natural selection and people not having the jab. And calling people stupid.

Are the under 40s who are advised not to have AZ stupid for not wanting it? Were they stupid 3 weeks ago for not wanting it, when they were going to be offered it?

Are the under 50s or what ever age is set in other countries for not having AZ stupid for not wanting AZ?

Are the under 50s in England stupid for not wanting AZ?

What's the different between the last two groups other than the country they live in?

Seems to be a lot of vittrol and little respect towards those who are concerned, when in fact there is a solution to increase vaccine uptake in those who want it. All this moaning on MN about those with poor mental health 'being thrown under the bus', yets it appears to only apply to a certain definition of poor mental health. Some people are scared and it can be solved, people dont deserve the hate. Some people hated lock down and thought we should get on with it , some people are afraid of the vaccine.

@Darelask 95% of people invited for vaccine have had it.

The variant from India is spreading because of yet another policy failure - ie failure to restrict travel to and from India while it was taking hold in that region.

I mean the government was pissing about drawing distinctions between Spain and Gibraltar while allowing travel back and forth from a country where people were dying in the street from the new variant.

And now it's here, before we've had a chance to vaccinate everyone. That isn't the fault of the 5% or so who could have been vaccinated but aren't. 95% is pretty much herd immunity. 95% take-up across the population and we'd probably be fine. But we haven't got through the whole population yet. And in the meantime the government has failed to protect us from this variant. Just like it's failed every step of the way so far.

Well he would say that wouldn’t he! There’s a fear that not as many young people will take up the vaccine because they don’t consider themselves at particular risk. What’s the best way of making them think twice? Peddling a load of fear about a new variant! I’m sure in the days to come we will also see news about how it is affecting much younger, fitter people etc.
But ultimately, the vaccine should remain a personal choice and nobody should be made to feel selfish for not taking it. Those who are concerned for their own health can have it and be protected. Those who choose not to have it have made a personal risk assessment based on a number of factors and should not be blamed for any rise in cases. It is the fault of the government if there is any extension to lockdown as they are choosing to focus on cases and not hospitalisations and deaths. Large numbers of cases amongst young people who largely manage to recover at home themselves should not have an effect on deaths and hospitalisations because those who are vulnerable are vaccinated in the large part and those that can’t be for medical reasons have always had to live slightly wary of other circulating viruses. It is not right to turn on each other and the anger and spite needs to turn back onto the government who are running this whole thing politically and monetarily and not for the sake of the nations health - either physical or mental.

Sadly some communities (particularly black over 50 and some indian) have a much higher vaccine rejection rate. Please don't come and explain with 'general mistrust'. We're in a middle of a pandemic and I frankly find it incredibly selfish not to take the vaccine as it has shown to stop transmission. I know several lovely, well educated black and indian friends who (they're not young either - in their 40s/50s) are quite stubbornly saying they won't take the vaccine. I just don't understand it...

But none of that would have made a difference even if replicated across the population because general take-up is still really high. The problem is that we've let this thing in before we were able to offer to the entire population.