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Original poster

Colleague who does not want to get vaccinated

272 replies

JennieLee · 20/05/2021 10:08

I've recently returned to work in a venue that has been closed because of Covid.

Was chatting with various colleagues about whether they'd had first and/or second jabs and one person who is of mature years - and rather anxious - said they weren't having vaccinations, though they 'weren't an anti-vaxxer.'

One of my other colleagues says this is because they have a condition which affects their immune system. I was already aware of this condition but on looking it up, the official medical body says there is no reason why people with this condition should be adversely affected by the vaccine. The official advice is to have it.

It seems to me that by working in proximity with her over prolonged periods I am at increased risk of carrying the vaccine and infecting others. (I've had both jabs.)

Is there anything I can do, I wonder...?

OP posts:
lightattheendofthetunnel2021 · 21/05/2021 17:55

So tired of those people who don't pull their weight in all of this and are refusing to be vaccinated. Seems to be certain pockets of society. Most of the people I know who are refusing are from different cultural background but they can't say they're depraved or not informed. These are intelligent people.

I would say, however, that most people who oppose it, especially on the grounds of risk, are generally perhaps not well educated. That is different to intelligent - what I mean is educated when it comes to science/statistics.

I just find it so selfish. Can understand it if those younger may have doubts but those over 40/50 - FFS.

user1494050295 · 21/05/2021 17:55

It is people’s choices whether to vaccinate or not but when the world opens up for those who are vaccinated those who have chosen not to vaccinate cannot expect everything to revolve around them

lightattheendofthetunnel2021 · 21/05/2021 17:56

Bloody auto-correct - should say 'backgrounds', 'deprived' and 'uninformed'

lightattheendofthetunnel2021 · 21/05/2021 17:58

@user1494050295

It is people’s choices whether to vaccinate or not but when the world opens up for those who are vaccinated those who have chosen not to vaccinate cannot expect everything to revolve around them
I can see why you say that but given that transmission is greatly reduced in those who are vaccinated, this goes beyond the 'self'. I do find some people highly irritating - relying on their wider family or friends' views on the vaccine rather than doing proper research. And so stubborn. My god. Makes me so cross and disappointed in people. And don't come and claim that they are, due to their backgrounds, distrusting of health authorities. Come on!
Againstmachine · 21/05/2021 18:44

So tired of those people who don't pull their weight in all of this and are refusing to be vaccinated.

What's that even mean "pull their weight", you do realise no one owes you anything. The amount of control people want over people is scary.

AppleJane · 21/05/2021 19:45

@lightattheendofthetunnel2021

So tired of those people who don't pull their weight in all of this and are refusing to be vaccinated. Seems to be certain pockets of society. Most of the people I know who are refusing are from different cultural background but they can't say they're depraved or not informed. These are intelligent people.

I would say, however, that most people who oppose it, especially on the grounds of risk, are generally perhaps not well educated. That is different to intelligent - what I mean is educated when it comes to science/statistics.

I just find it so selfish. Can understand it if those younger may have doubts but those over 40/50 - FFS.

Do you mean those who aren't 'educated' enough to understand the difference between antivaxers and those who are pro vaccine but don't want AstraZeneca?

Gwenhwyfar · 21/05/2021 19:46

"You can’t get annoyed because other people have made different decisions to you."

Well, I can.

"People who recover from infection are also contributing to herd immunity by the way."

But also potentially infecting others on the way. That's not the best way to do it, is it?

Gwenhwyfar · 21/05/2021 19:50

"I would say, however, that most people who oppose it, especially on the grounds of risk, are generally perhaps not well educated. That is different to intelligent - what I mean is educated when it comes to science/statistics."

I don't really agree with this. I know a very well educated person who said 'I know it's a one in a million chance, but I've been that one in a million before' so I can understand how that sways your thinking. It's an emotional reaction. This person will get vaccinated, but not AZ.

In general, anti vaxers, such as the ones who refuse MMR for their children, tend to be well educated and well read. It doesn't mean they're right.

Gwenhwyfar · 21/05/2021 19:51

@Againstmachine

So tired of those people who don't pull their weight in all of this and are refusing to be vaccinated.

What's that even mean "pull their weight", you do realise no one owes you anything. The amount of control people want over people is scary.

We are all part of the same society. We ALL have a duty to try and get the world out of the shit we're in.
grapewine · 21/05/2021 19:53

TBH I'd press management about it. And while nobody can FORCE them to have the vaccine, you can make their lives a lot less pleasant.

What the actual fuck is wrong with people?

Gwenhwyfar · 21/05/2021 19:54

@bumbleymummy

No. She’s just pointing out that she didn’t ask to benefit from herd immunity, it’s just happening. For all you know she’s immune anyway and could also be contributing to herd immunity.
What do you mean immune anyway? Immunity from the illness may last about 8 months, we don't know. It's not permanent. And if she's actually had Covid, she may have passed it to others too.
Againstmachine · 21/05/2021 20:15

We are all part of the same society. We ALL have a duty to try and get the world out of the shit we're in.

I have had the vaccine, but society has treated many people like shit for years, through mental health ect. Many of people I come across in society are vile.

If you think people owe you anything you are mistaken.

No one owes it to you to take a vaccine, No one.

KaleSlayer · 21/05/2021 20:24

but society has treated many people like shit for years, through mental health ect. Many of people I come across in society are vile.

Exactly. We’re all ‘in it together’ suddenly when this affects everyone. Bullshit.

kowari · 21/05/2021 20:27

Just act the same as if the colleague was an unvaccinated 20 year old who was not yet eligible. It's her choice.

Gwenhwyfar · 21/05/2021 20:44

"No one owes it to you to take a vaccine, No one."

Except that they do.
If nobody gets the vaccine we won't get out of this shit so the majority of us need to get the vaccine.

Againstmachine · 21/05/2021 20:56

Except that they do.

No they don't, no one owes you anything at all it's vile and controlling to think people do.

MistressoftheDarkSide · 21/05/2021 21:00

Good job we're in a strong position of people who have had the vaccine, according to roll out stages and when offered if able then isn't it? If nobody gets the vaccine is not even a possible scenario at this point!

MercyBooth · 21/05/2021 21:08

YY @Againstmachine Funny how society and community only seems to matter when its Covid related.

Superfoodie123 · 21/05/2021 21:08

Can people please respect other people's decisions on what they put into their own f ing bodies?! Mind your own business!

How outraged would you be if someone tried to force medication you didn't want down your neck?

Some of us are sceptical about a vaccine that's being trialled en masse, if you trust your doctors and government good for you but some are a bit more critical.

Also if you're so sure the vaccine works and all the vulnerable people are vaccinated what's the actual problem here? That someone has made the decision contrary to yours?

bumbleymummy · 21/05/2021 21:09

@Gwenhwyfar

"I would say, however, that most people who oppose it, especially on the grounds of risk, are generally perhaps not well educated. That is different to intelligent - what I mean is educated when it comes to science/statistics."

I don't really agree with this. I know a very well educated person who said 'I know it's a one in a million chance, but I've been that one in a million before' so I can understand how that sways your thinking. It's an emotional reaction. This person will get vaccinated, but not AZ.

In general, anti vaxers, such as the ones who refuse MMR for their children, tend to be well educated and well read. It doesn't mean they're right.

I think it’s around 1 in 80,000 now.
bumbleymummy · 21/05/2021 21:11

@Gwenhwyfar 8+ months according to several studies. We don’t know how long vaccine induced immunity lasts yet.

LolaSmiles · 21/05/2021 21:11

Superfoodie123
I respect people's right to choose because I believe in bodily autonomy regarding medical issues.

I don't respect people who spread vaccine hesitancy material, anti-vaxx misinformation and generally act like the whole thing is a big conspiracy where they're the free thinkers full of critical thinking, and those who have the vaccine are guinea pigs for untested experimental vaccines that haven't been safety tested and blah blah blah.

As soon as I see or hear "some of us are critical thinkers..." I instantly roll my eyes because it's more of the special enlightened brigade who think they are gifted with superior thinking skills because they've seen stuff on Facebook or YouTube.

bumbleymummy · 21/05/2021 21:14

@Gwenhwyfar

"No one owes it to you to take a vaccine, No one."

Except that they do.
If nobody gets the vaccine we won't get out of this shit so the majority of us need to get the vaccine.

No we don’t. The majority of people who are most likely to end up in hospital need to be vaccinated to stop the nhs being overwhelmed. Uptake in those groups is over 90% - you can see the impact it has had on hospitalisations and deaths. The vast majority of younger people are not vaccinated yet and we are ‘getting out of this shit.’
RisingSunn · 21/05/2021 21:20

“TBH I'd press management about it. And while nobody can FORCE them to have the vaccine, you can make their lives a lot less pleasant.”

DISGUSTING.

Againstmachine · 21/05/2021 21:25

@risingsunn

Yep it is disgusting ain't

If it makes life difficult for business maybe women should be sterilized so they won't get pregnant after all it creates a hardship,you see where I'm going.