Babies & relatives that won’t get vaccinated

[Onthegrapevine]

DP and I have a 1 year old, both of us are fully vaccinated.

Each of us have adult siblings refusing the vaccine. Some more stubborn than others. We don’t talk about it with them, but it is really worrying me.

Since my 1 year old can’t have a vaccine, I feel it’s on the adults to keep him safe. I want to ban visits but that seems unreasonable and it would mean family members who cohabit with those refusing the vaccine also missing out on quality time.

Just looking to hear from others in similar situations.

[Ozanj]

If the 1 yo is in nursery Chances are they already had it and have had antibodies without symptoms. At least that was the case with most of the kids at my nursery. I imagine if they rolled out antibody testing to children over 1 a large proportion would be similar.

[Mamascoven]

I have a 1 year old. I'm unvaccinated so is DH and most of our families. You are honestly being OTT.

[ForgedInFire]

I have a child who just turned one. I'm genuinely not concerned about him getting covid, not with the statistics we have now. I'm a lot more concerned about him contracting flu or chickenpox or meningitis- I'm generally quite health anxious. I am fully vaccinated but I don't judge anyone who refuses the vaccine, I'm not sure I would have gotten it if I did not have a risk factor.

[Sl33py]

Do you know of any kids who have tested positive to covid and been ill?

I know 10 children who have tested positive no symptoms.

Just because you’ve had the jab you can still spread it to your baby

[ForgedInFire]

I also have 2 older unvaccinated children in school and preschool who are bringing home all manner of germs and for all I know, we might have had asymptomatic covid already

[Sl33py]

I’ve had covid and I’ve had the flu.

The Flu was so much worse

[Onthegrapevine]

It’s interesting that people feel so strongly about this.

When I was pregnant, the midwives recommended that anyone that would be coming into contact with baby should get a flu jab. Why is that acceptable and this is not?

[kezziethecat]

My mum won't have it. It would never cross my mind to prevent her from seeing my children to be honest and one of them has a medical condition. I would be far more worried about her possibly catching it than them but she's an adult and is capable of making her own choices.

[ForgedInFire]

In 3 pregnancies my midwife has never reccomended that anybody but me should be vaccinated for anything. I know in other countries, like the US, they advise that anybody in contact with the baby should have a whooping cough jab but here we just vaccinate the mother

[Fleetw00d]

Can you just ask them to take lateral flow tests before visits? Even if they have the jab they can still catch and transmit it so a test is probably a safer precaution from your babies pov

[RocheLobe]

No midwife has ever said anything to me about other people having the flu vaccine if they were going to come into contact with the baby.

[kezziethecat]

I've never heard that about the flu jab. That sounds really strange as it's only offered to those with certain conditions or over a certain age.

[RocheLobe]

When I had my baby this time last year, it was clear that the concern amongst HCPs was that the baby, my husband and I, having been in the hospital, could pass covid onto elderly relatives rather than of any great risk to the baby.

[Onthegrapevine]

@kezziethecat Yeah, thinking back one of the midwives actually said “she was on the fence about the flu jab” so I should have probably taken everything with a pinch of salt

[someusernameorother]

How many one year olds have died of Covid in the U.K.?

[Onthegrapevine]

@someusernameorother Not many I’m sure, but it’s not just about death! It’s triggering issues in otherwise healthy kids. Apparently!

[Remmy123]

Hmmm I'd say that midwife was wrong ir just sharing her opinion based on nothing as I've never heard this - v odd

[canigooutyet]

I just assume that no-one has had any vaccine and do whatever I can to try and look after myself and try and avoid spreading whatever around regardless of if there is a vaccination or not.

I don't know the vaccine status of anyone outside of my home and my child is too young.

I'm not banning anyone from our home. The people I let into our home know and respect my rule of keeping the fuck away from me if you are ill, especially if there is a temp.

[SJK34]

I am not in the same position but understand why you feel the way that you do. I think you are in the minority though. You want to protect your baby the best that you can and feel frustrated that those around you don’t feel the same. It is difficult to step outside that mindset because having a baby can be so consuming, but it might be worth thinking about the perspectives of those around you. They are considering factors that are not as important to you. We all have different things that are important to us and as easy as it is to fall out, I believe it is more important than ever to find ways to come together with those that we love.

[FortniteBoysMum]

I had all my immunisations growing up it did not stop me from contracting mumps at 17. The fact is even if you have immunisations they do not work for everyone. The covid one will be no different. Personally my kids will nit be having it as new risks are coming to light frequently. It's one thing me having had both astrazeneca jabs when I am literally just above the age for clot risks its another my kids having something that could cause serious problems as its so unknown.

[PurBal]

I'm with you OP. I'm not sure if I'd take the same stance (currently pregnant) but I totally understand. Its not unreasonable to expect people to take precautions. I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee today but she said her LO had D&V and didn't want to pass anything onto me because I'm pregnant. That's considerate in my opinion, not OTT. I also have family abroad who are desperate for the vaccine but mass vaccination roll out not made it to them yet, they would give anything to have the vaccine and yet where it is available people are refusing it (some other family members included). But that is their right. We don't all need to agree.

[grooovychick]

I have a 1 year old, I will not be getting a vaccine. You're being ridiculous, if you want to isolate yourself and your child from your family then go for it.

[OnTheBrink1]

No OP, you are being completely mental.
Any adult coming into contact with your child (including you!) is more risk after going to the loo, not washing hands properly and giving your child norovirus than a random odd visit from an unvaccinated sibling?
Honesty, you are going to have a hard time going forward with the 1000 more riskier things your child will encounter over the next few years. Jeez

[TheKeatingFive]

When I was pregnant, the midwives recommended that anyone that would be coming into contact with baby should get a flu jab.

I’ve literally never heard this in my life.

[Mulhollandmagoo]

If a fully vaccinated adult, an unvaccinated adult and a 1yo are all exposed to covid, then statistically, the unvaccinated adult is most at risk, this isn't unknown information and people are well within their rights to weigh up the risks and make a decision based on what they feel is right for them and their health - which should be the only reason anybody gets any vaccine or medical procedure, and not to be allowed to spend time with someone else's child

FWIW you could pass on covid to your baby, the vaccine combats severe symptoms, it doesn't stop the virus spreading.