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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:
flippertygibbit · 20/05/2021 18:20

@JennieLee

I am not quite sure where some of these comments are coming from. There's a lot of DARVO.

I have returned to work. There was a lot of comment about who's had 1 vaccine and who's had 2. A woman in late middle age who has been up front about her medical condition in the past said she has not been vaccinated.

I have not asked her any further questions or commented on her decisions.

I have enquired here about whether other people have had similar issues at busy workplaces .

As Mumsnet likes to say, 'Did you mean to be so rude?'

Probably you did, which is very very sad.

No, you really didn't! Make it easy for everyone else - you work at home. I've a feeling your colleagues might like it!
baldafrique · 20/05/2021 18:21

Genuinely dont get why fully vaccinated people whonatent CEV are so worried about risk from unvaccinated people (speaking as a vaccinated person). Their risk is to themselves (and CEV people). I dont agree with their decision but dont get why you are so anxious about yourself personally.

baldafrique · 20/05/2021 18:22
  • who arent
Moondust001 · 20/05/2021 18:23

@JennieLee

I am not quite sure where some of these comments are coming from. There's a lot of DARVO.

I have returned to work. There was a lot of comment about who's had 1 vaccine and who's had 2. A woman in late middle age who has been up front about her medical condition in the past said she has not been vaccinated.

I have not asked her any further questions or commented on her decisions.

I have enquired here about whether other people have had similar issues at busy workplaces .

As Mumsnet likes to say, 'Did you mean to be so rude?'

Probably you did, which is very very sad.

That is so far from what your actually said that you seriously don't need to worry about social distancing. You have about three miles between this post and all the others.
bumbleymummy · 20/05/2021 18:25

The biggest worry is school kids...

I think many school children are probably already immune after natural infection.

baldafrique · 20/05/2021 18:26

@bumbleymummy
Does that mean that they cant transmit to others if they are immune (prob a dumb question!)?

picturesandpickles · 20/05/2021 18:27

@bumbleymummy

The biggest worry is school kids...

I think many school children are probably already immune after natural infection.

Sadly it doesn't last that long though, that bit of theory still hasn't changed AFAIK.

Anyway, the same would apply to the colleague, they'll only catch it once a year probably.

Nohomemadecandles · 20/05/2021 18:40

We should recommission the leper colonies for all the people who refuse to be vaccinated Hmm

I'm a believer in having control over one's body. But decisions do come with consequences and I can see some commercial things are going to be off the cards if you're not vaccinated, like hols probably. But delving into a colleague's medical history & reporting to the management is a bit Goody Proctor for my liking.
However, the govt blaming low vaccine uptake for high IV cases in Bolton is going to push this view, isn't it?
We need to make up our minds what the vaccine does. My understanding was it's like swimming lessons. It won't stop you falling in but it will make you better equipped to deal with it.
So I think you could probably wind in your neck and let your colleague worry about her own safety really. You can swim. She can't.

bumbleymummy · 20/05/2021 19:08

@picturesandpickles several studies show 8+ months for the majority.

picturesandpickles · 20/05/2021 19:09

[quote bumbleymummy]@picturesandpickles several studies show 8+ months for the majority.[/quote]
yes quite - which is why I said the colleague won't catch it more than once per year!

anon12345678901 · 20/05/2021 19:10

@JennieLee

I am not quite sure where some of these comments are coming from. There's a lot of DARVO.

I have returned to work. There was a lot of comment about who's had 1 vaccine and who's had 2. A woman in late middle age who has been up front about her medical condition in the past said she has not been vaccinated.

I have not asked her any further questions or commented on her decisions.

I have enquired here about whether other people have had similar issues at busy workplaces .

As Mumsnet likes to say, 'Did you mean to be so rude?'

Probably you did, which is very very sad.

You asked if there was anything you could do about her not being vaccinated. Seems you were hoping for a more positive response to your post. Hopefully you've been reminded people have body autonomy and as such can make their own decisions about this vaccine...
AccidentallyOnPurpose · 20/05/2021 19:10

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

PandemicPalava · 20/05/2021 19:16

At the beginning of the vaccine process I was very judgemental towards people who weren't having the vaccine. Months on I've realised that people are making the choice that is given to them because we live in a country that doesn't force people to have procedures they don't want. I would rather maintain this moral and ethical line and keep things like vaccines a choice. I don't appreciate the government giving people a choice and then demonising people and saying that it is their fault because the easing of restrictions may be delayed due to them.

CruCru · 20/05/2021 19:17

I think that Coronavirus has given a lot of people an excuse to be extremely strange in a very unpleasant way. Can you imagine ever getting funny with someone who hasn't had the MMR or suggesting that their lives be made less pleasant?

In the same way that how someone votes or who they sleep with isn't anyone else's business, whether or not they have the vaccine is not for consideration by a bunch of (vaccinated) colleagues.

bumbleymummy · 20/05/2021 19:35

[quote baldafrique]@bumbleymummy
Does that mean that they cant transmit to others if they are immune (prob a dumb question!)?[/quote]
I think they can still transmit but it’s less likely - just as with the vaccine.

bumbleymummy · 20/05/2021 19:41

@picturesandpickles you think that’s not that long?

katy1213 · 20/05/2021 19:43

If you're googling your colleague's medical condition, you are already way out of line.
Possibly she doesn't want to be in close proximity to a chronic busybody?

justwant2beamum · 20/05/2021 19:49

It's none of your fxxxing business!!! Can't believe some people think that "something should be done" here and go to management and make this poor woman suffer for exercising a choice!! This is what I'm so scared of. I'm TTC after recently having a miscarriage and I'm taking no chances so will not be having the vaccine any time soon. I think I'll just lie once my age group letters come out in case someone complains about me at work!!

Cameleongirl · 20/05/2021 20:04

@CruCru

I think that Coronavirus has given a lot of people an excuse to be extremely strange in a very unpleasant way. Can you imagine ever getting funny with someone who hasn't had the MMR or suggesting that their lives be made less pleasant?

In the same way that how someone votes or who they sleep with isn't anyone else's business, whether or not they have the vaccine is not for consideration by a bunch of (vaccinated) colleagues.

Lets be honest, though, people do judge others hugely on the way they vote and on whom they sleep with. Vaccination choices are just another thing to judge people for. ☹️ None of us are as tolerant as we like to think we are-in fact, sometimes those who believe they’re extremely tolerant are actually the opposite if anyone dares to disagree with them!
happylemon10 · 20/05/2021 20:15

@LaBellina

I normally never comment on these threads but my God, it’s depressing that there are apparently people out there who think they can decide for others what they have to put in their body. Even Googling to ‘decide’ for them if their medical condition allows them to get the vaccine. If I were your colleague and I found out you had been trying to diagnose me trough Google, I would go to management/ HR to make a complaint about you. It’s harassment trying to bully someone with a medical condition into a vaccine they don’t want by using Dr Google Confused as a source. I almost can’t believe that this is real, are people really this entitled?
THIS! 100% agree
JellyBabiesFan · 20/05/2021 20:15

Are you going to interrogate everybody you are near to about their vaccine status for the rest of your life?

You seem like an absolute control freak.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 20/05/2021 20:20

Lets be honest, though, people do judge others hugely on the way they vote and on whom they sleep with. Vaccination choices are just another thing to judge people for. ☹️ None of us are as tolerant as we like to think we are-in fact, sometimes those who believe they’re extremely tolerant are actually the opposite if anyone dares to disagree with them!

And judging,even when ranting on MN is fine in general if it stops there.

But OP wants to do something about it. She wants the company to do something about. That crosses a line in many ways.

MiaRoma · 20/05/2021 20:43

@JennieLee

Weirdly enough since Covid swept through my father in law's care home killing a high proportion of the residents and the manager's partner, I have felt a certain amount of concern about this condition. As if, our choices do actually have significant impact on one another.

But not in the deeply selfish world of Mumsnet trolls it appears. I pity some of you. And I fear for you.

You are vaccinated. Ergo you are safe.

Why are you choosing to bully someone who is choosing not to be vaccinated? And who can't harm you as you are safe? Because you are vaccinated.

Are you usually a bully? Or is it just your fear of covid which has made you act this way?

LolaSmiles · 20/05/2021 20:47

And judging,even when ranting on MN is fine in general if it stops there.

But OP wants to do something about it. She wants the company to do something about. That crosses a line in many ways.
I agree with you. There needs to be a giant bullshit button to press when someone on here claims they never judge, "can't believe" anyone would judge a situation, or more annoyingly seem unable to understand that admitting private judgements anonymously online doesn't mean they'd do or say anything offline. Humans judge, it's a fact of life. What matters is what we do after.

Lala134 · 20/05/2021 20:48

@JennieLee

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...?

apart from not wanting to take an experimental vaccine with new mNRA technology where the long term effects are unknown for a virus that has a 0.002% chance of killing me I wouldnt take it just because it annoys people like you lol