Is Boris trying for Herd Immunity in Children?

[wondersun]

Is the government trying for herd immunity with our children?

No mitigations despite increasing cases & more transmissible variant.

No data has been released for schools and the new variant, despite calls from all the unions.

He’s never let go of herd immunity and doesn’t seem at all concerned about the risks of long covid in kids or the fact that some do get ill and that they can spread it to their families.

[quote TheReluctantPhoenix]@hamstersarse,

You do know that diseases are not ‘regulated’, either?!

I would far rather my children acquired immunity from an unregulated vaccine than an unregulated illness.

But, I agree, we need to push on through now, if vaccines continue to work and hospitals can cope.[/quote]
I agree

Is the government trying for herd immunity?

YES

Definition: Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from infectious disease that can occur when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, whether through vaccination or previous infections.

Like most governments, and as recommended by WHO, the UK government is pressing ahead with vaccination to achieve herd immunity.

The OP is asking specifically if Johnson is going for herd immunity by natural infection rather than waiting for vaccination.

^^ in children ^

@TheReluctantPhoenix
Children do not need protection against covid as they are not really affected by it. Their immune system will fight the virus if they get it. Giving them experimental vaccines ( as they are experimental till the end of a trial in Jan 2023) is ethically immoral when there is literally NO DATA as to what side effect these jabs can have 2-5 years down the line. Any parent wishing to subject their child to this experimental treatment is making a mistake that they won't be able to fix in the future. Children and anyone younger than 50 are perfectly capable of fighing the virus themselves. Bring in the medication instead!!!!

Surely there is no other strategy than hers immunity?

Zero Covid isn’t happening ever.

I suppose we could all stay in our homes until and absolute certainty cure has come along but I doubt that will happen either.

I won’t be vaccinating my children when the statistics are so small for them getting seriously ill. Not zero, but then there is risk in everything they do, you kind of just have to not think about it and live life.

@Iloveasda1000

I just don't see how ethically you can vaccinate healthy children using an experimental vaccine via emergency procedures. Strange times

Agreed. I don't understand people who offer their children up for testing it out.

I'd assume they're following other countries and keeping schools open at all costs, similar in Ireland the virus is spreading around the schools but locking down isn't an option, parents would be livid if they close again.

13% to 15% of children contracting long Covid is fine I guess then.

www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/02/long-covid-uk-children-date-cause-concern-scientists-say

The long term effects of even mild infections in children are unknown.

My 12 year old son’s friend has developed type 1 diabetes.

It’s all very well saying we don’t know the long term effects of the vaccines. But we don’t know the long term effects of the virus either.

My 12 year old son’s friend has developed type 1 diabetes.

Not downplaying the issues around having T1 at all, but it develops after infection by any number of anonymous bugs, many of which are super mild. Covid is just one of many and we aren’t going to be able to eradicate them all.

Well hopefully this will raise awareness for viruses leading to complications and adults. I have many friends who have had long battles to diagnose ME and CFS.

Covid is more transmissible than other viruses so will cause more damage people to have severe after effects by logical default

It doesn’t mean we should dismiss the effects of Covid it means we should start to seriously help those with effects of all viruses.

My son’s 12 year olds friend has this for life now because of Covid. The facts around other viruses don’t change that.

I don't see the sense is using up precious vaccines on children when there are plenty of adults around the world who have not been vaccinated. As long as the virus exists it will mutate, the more it exists the more likely it is that it will mutate so it is in everyone's interests to ensure as many adults around the world are vaccinated as possible.

That said would I take DD to be vaccinated, of course I would. She has had unlicensed medicines before to keep her alive and I have seen children die of flu in intensive care.

@MarshaBradyo

I just googled Germany for another reason and see that they will be vaccinating 12 upwards from June which I found interesting

What would you do op?

This is not entirely true. They want to offer the vaccine to over 12s as of June. There are not currently any plans for mass vaccination of children.

The STIKO (Standing Committee on Vaccination) is currently not recommending mass vaccination of children. One of the reasons being that it is morally questionable to vaccinate children to protect adults.

Unfortunately, there is an election coming up in October so obviously all of the politicians are being even more calculating than usual.

Shonky I’m not seeing the difference is it just the offering part?

Aren’t we all offered as not mandatory

I did say 12 upwards so not younger than that

I Imagine that as being the group at lowest risk from lasting damage from Covid, they will get vaccinated in due course. In the meantime the decision has sensibly been taken, not to lock them all up in virtual solitary confinement any more.

I do hope some of you stand as MPs in the next election, it’s obvious that you’d make such a marvellous job of dealing with these tricky situations!

@MarshaBradyo

Shonky I’m not seeing the difference is it just the offering part?

Aren’t we all offered as not mandatory

I did say 12 upwards so not younger than that

Sorry, Marsha, I just read your post as saying "over 12s will be vaccinated as of June" which made it sound a bit like you thought there was going to be a mass drive to get all children (over 12) vaccinated and wanted to make it clear that that is not currently happening!

@MarshaBradyo I can’t wait for my kids to have their jabs. Sorry been slow to reply, we are remote educating because I can’t accept what’s happening with schools.

Waiting until children are offered the same mitigations and vaccinations as adults before I can accept it as a part of life.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

Never assume conspiracy before cock up especially not with this lot in charge.

I’m not sure conspiracy is the word, I just think they operate with a different moral compass and place far more importance on the economy than they should have in a pandemic, which has ironically meant the economy is even more £&@ 🤦🏻‍♀️

[quote Quartz2208]I know this is the Daily Mail but I think this sums it up well

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9631987/Boris-Johnson-forced-decide-child-jabs.html[/quote]
That absolute muppet shouldn’t be deciding for any child and won’t decide for mine.

@JanFebAnyMonth

iSAGE suspects, in the absence of any other reasonable explanation: Listen /watch their meeting yesterday from 50 mins in

Thanks, it just seems to be the only thing that makes sense, especially if they think a lot of parents won’t vaccinate their kids, they need to build up immunity amongst children somehow. Think it’s why we went back in early March too, numbers couldn’t be allowed to get too low.

@hahaboink

I don’t think long Covid is an issue if you were symptomless when you had Covid, is it?

No it is, long covid and PIMS can occur after mild / asymptomatic covid.

We aren’t following other countries - my friends in Canada have ventilation, remote learning options, social distancing and masks, same in America and their kids already been vaccinated.

We need to be asking why the “best” for our children involves spending and doing nothing!

7-8% of kids get long covid. They also get quite upset if family members are really ill / die.

I can’t see what Boris Johnson’s strategy is if it isn’t mass infections of our kids! Kids do suffer with covid and evidence suggests that with the new variant that happens more often.

@wondersun

We aren’t following other countries - my friends in Canada have ventilation, remote learning options, social distancing and masks, same in America and their kids already been vaccinated.

We need to be asking why the “best” for our children involves spending and doing nothing!

7-8% of kids get long covid. They also get quite upset if family members are really ill / die.

I can’t see what Boris Johnson’s strategy is if it isn’t mass infections of our kids! Kids do suffer with covid and evidence suggests that with the new variant that happens more often.

Absolutely this! Boris Johnson doesn't give a shit about your child. It's clear to see. No.mitigations in schools absolutely no protection. In Scotland at least it is compulsory that secondary school children wear masks. Nothing whatsoever spent on ventilation except opening windows. It is clearly acceptable to the Govts (esp the uk one) for a virus to run wild without any way of stopping it. We have no idea of the later in life implications.

Yes, I think he is.

If hospitalisation does not increase, it is a good strategy.

But I think it will be by a combination of infection and vaccination. Children will be vaccinated.

I agree. So they’re managing the waves in schools/younger people (before it filters to older generation or exponential growth). Before it overwhelms hospitals. Going for a combination of natural immunity/vaccinated. Makes sense rather than putting all your eggs in one basket, and never knowing how long natural immunity lasts for.