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Original poster

Job vs Vaccine

61 replies

Fizzi12 · 17/06/2021 08:58

  • Name change for this

I work in a care home and it’s now mandatory for me to be fully vaccinated against Covid.

I had my first vaccine beginning of March, I had AZ.

I’m early thirties, no risk factors and I had Covid in May 2020 (thankfully symptoms on a week off so didn’t pass to anyone at work)

I made the decision that I won’t be having my second AZ vaccine, as for myself, I don’t find that the benefits out weigh the risks.

I’m now in a position where I HAVE to have the vaccine or I could face losing my job!

I’m absolutely furious about it.
I took the vaccine to protect others, not myself, but given that the vaccine has a very serious risk attached to it (which hadn’t come to light when I had my first dose) I no longer want to take it for the benefit of other people.

Why should I be forced to have a vaccine that Isn’t deemed safe for my age group, for the purpose of protecting the vulnerable?
Why am I being asked to potentially put myself at risk to look after someone else.
Is my life not as important?

I want to protect the vulnerable, I really do, and so I’ve asked for Pfizer / moderna as an alternative but have been refused.

Why is vaccine mixing approved in other countries, but not the UK!
If I lived in France I would now be classed as fully vaccinated (1 dose following Covid infection)

It just doesn’t seem fair at all :(

OP posts:
Machir · 17/06/2021 09:05

I'm similar in that I had AZ before the risks were really apparent, they came to light a week after I'd received my first dose (also early thirties). I'm due my second dose today. I am nervous but mainly because I'm combi / breastfeeding - I paused for a couple of days last time and expressed, but now in the midst of the 4 month sleep regression I doubt this will be an option. Friends who are in a similar position were told there have been no known clots associated with the second dose when receiving theirs, so the risk to me is tiny whereas the risk to vulnerable people of contracting covid is huge.

loulouljh · 17/06/2021 09:07

No advice but I feel for you. This is so wrong.

PurBal · 17/06/2021 09:07

I'm not sure comparing countries is hugely helpful and will only add to your frustration. I used to live abroad and they would only give visas to HIV negative people so I had to have a blood test, seems discriminatory to me but I wanted to live there so needs must. I suppose this is one of those occasions where "life isn't fair" unfortunately. The risk of blood clots is still low, although not helpful for the people for whom its been fatal. Medical professionals are routinely vaccinated against other things so it isn't completely unexpected. What your next step is is entirely up to you. I have turned down and left jobs where I haven't agreed with some of the policies, it would be perfectly reasonable for you to do the same in the circumstances.

Suranjeep · 17/06/2021 09:26

I can’t offer advise, but let’s be honest it won’t just be care homes, they’ll come back for others in the future. It’ll be vaccines to work then it’ll spread to other places to catch the unemployed and retired and health care.

Yesterday in the House of Commons the Health Secretary said that his and the NHS’s duty of care was less to the unvaccinated and there could be times when the NHS will not deal with the unvaccinated. (It was during his debate between 1500-1600 if you wish to look up the Hansard).

PurpleDaisies · 17/06/2021 09:29

There are trials going on for vaccine mixing here. I don’t think it’s awful to test that it’s safe and effective before rolling it out more widely.

CrunchyCarrot · 17/06/2021 09:32

I would hold out and wait for the possibility of being able to take a second different vaccine. There are trials currently ongoing and results are out soon.

Original poster
Fizzi12 · 17/06/2021 09:34

@Suranjeep

NHS’s duty of care was less to the unvaccinated and there could be times when the NHS will not deal with the unvaccinated

What does that even mean? So unless you’ve had a vaccine you will be refused NHS care?!

OP posts:
Brokenrecord3006 · 17/06/2021 09:36

Can you try again for the pfizer or moderna? I friend of mine in her 20s had her first AZ jab ages ago as she is a carer. When she went for her second she was offered the pfizer due to her age but was told she'd have to treat it as her first jab and book in a second pfizer. It seems like it could be possible if you speak to the right person.

Original poster
Fizzi12 · 17/06/2021 10:14

@Brokenrecord3006

Can you try again for the pfizer or moderna? I friend of mine in her 20s had her first AZ jab ages ago as she is a carer. When she went for her second she was offered the pfizer due to her age but was told she'd have to treat it as her first jab and book in a second pfizer. It seems like it could be possible if you speak to the right person.
@Brokenrecord3006

I’ve been in contact with my GP, and CCG neither will approve it. 😓

OP posts:
CrunchyCarrot · 17/06/2021 10:26

@Suranjeep Yesterday in the House of Commons the Health Secretary said that his and the NHS’s duty of care was less to the unvaccinated and there could be times when the NHS will not deal with the unvaccinated. (It was during his debate between 1500-1600 if you wish to look up the Hansard).

I cannot find that exact wording, what I did find was this, which doesn't have the same meaning as what you stated:

Dr Liam Fox
(North Somerset) (Con)

Can my right hon. Friend give us a little more information about the rise in hospitalisations that he mentioned? Of those who are being hospitalised, how many are in the younger age group who were not yet eligible for the vaccine, and how many are above that age—in other words, those who were able to get the vaccine but chose not to?

Matt Hancock

My right hon. Friend makes a really important point. The answer is that the majority are in the younger age group who have not yet had the chance to be vaccinated. Just under one fifth of those going into hospital in the last week have had both jabs, about a fifth have had one jab and the majority have not had any. The majority are under the age of 50 and have not yet had the opportunity to have both jabs. I think there is a material difference when it comes to the state’s responsibility to offer the vaccine to all adults. The duty that we have when somebody has not been offered the vaccine is greater than the duty we have when we have offered a vaccine but somebody has chosen not to take it up. There is a material difference between those two situations that I think my right hon. Friend was getting at.

Also it's likely the flu jab will be added to the mandatory list:

Graham Stringer

...Flu, like covid, is a killer of elderly people. Will he be looking to make not only covid vaccination, but flu vaccination a condition of employment?

Matt Hancock

Yes we will, for exactly the reason that the hon. Gentleman sets out.

MrsHastingslikethebattle · 17/06/2021 10:38

See I am mostly under the notion if someone is working with elderly and vulnerable people who are most at risk of Covid, they should get the vaccine.

But forcing people to? When staff are testing twice a week anyway?

On top of that, a lot of carers may leave their jobs which leaves an already in decline sector with even less staff.

Lindy2 · 17/06/2021 10:41

If you choose not to have the second vaccine I think, over time, there will be other things that you are restricted on such as travel, large crowd events.

You've had Covid, you've had one vaccination and you've been ok. Your risk level having the second vaccination is absolutely minute.

Unless you want a career change then it really does make sense to complete your vaccination. It will be beneficial to you and really to be in a carer profession you do have a duty of care to do everything you can to keep the people you look after safe.

roguetomato · 17/06/2021 10:45

There are other jobs that requires certain things that other people don't require.
I had to have certain vaccine, physical check up to get my former job.
Same for any jobs, I think. If you don't want to, you have a choice to find other job.

rosie1959 · 17/06/2021 12:02

My son who is in his thirties was offered the Pfizer as his second dose so some areas may be different. He declined preferring not to mix vacinnes and as the first dose of AZ had done no harm he really wasnt worried about a second. His theory job needs doing just get on with it
My daughter also 30s has had two AZ as well

Original poster
Fizzi12 · 17/06/2021 12:16

@rosie1959

My son who is in his thirties was offered the Pfizer as his second dose so some areas may be different. He declined preferring not to mix vacinnes and as the first dose of AZ had done no harm he really wasnt worried about a second. His theory job needs doing just get on with it My daughter also 30s has had two AZ as well
@rosie1959

Do you know who offered him the possibility of mixing doses?

OP posts:
TooManyPlatesInMotion · 17/06/2021 12:24

I think it depends on if you are prepared to move jobs and sectors.

The deciding factor for me would be that the (small) risk of AZ is associated with the first jab. You have had that. So on a way, not much to lose by having the second tbh.

Temp023 · 17/06/2021 12:25

Oh just have the bloody vaccine and stop whinging!

PurpleDaisies · 17/06/2021 12:25

@Temp023

Oh just have the bloody vaccine and stop whinging!
Helpful.
PurpleDaisies · 17/06/2021 12:26

Do you honestly think your post is going to get vaccinated @Temp023?

PurpleDaisies · 17/06/2021 12:27

Bloody rubbish phone signal. Apologies for missing words.

I don’t think telling the op to stop whinging is going to have her rushing out to get vaccinated.

Temp023 · 17/06/2021 12:28

Just stating what at least 80% of the population are thinking ..

Original poster
Fizzi12 · 17/06/2021 12:30

@Temp023

Just stating what at least 80% of the population are thinking ..
@Temp023

Yeah, they’re probably not thinking this.

I’m guessing you’re not in my position. Unless you are then I don’t really think you make a comment like just have the bloody vaccine and stop whinging

OP posts:
rosie1959 · 17/06/2021 12:33

Fizzi12 no I dont know who called him probably the GP surgery think they were looking for volunteers to test out mixed vaccination. As I said he wasnt fussed about changing just wanted it done. Probably preferred the trusted method at the moment of 2 doses of the same vaccine.

Purplewithred · 17/06/2021 12:33

I'm pretty sure there will be other people like you with valid reasons not to have a jab, where viable workarounds will be needed.

Have you raised this with your employer or your CCG to ask them what the advice is for someone who would no longer be given the AZ?

Temp023 · 17/06/2021 12:34

What position?
Read the stats, UNDERSTAND the risk and then get vaccinated..

Swipe left for the next trending thread