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Original poster

Us and them- the vaccine. So much pressure

985 replies

ToTheLetter01 · 18/06/2021 14:59

Before i begin, i am not an anti vaxxer. Me and my DS have had all our jabs and we also have annual flu jabs.
However i feel such hostility and pressure from people who have had their vaccine for me to have it. The reason i do not want it at this moment is just because its still in the experimental stage until 2023 and i would like to know more long term data.
This is my choice, its my body and everyone should have the choice. Choice to have the vaccine and choice to not. I do not shame nor ridicule anyone for having it or not.
However i have felt so much pressure from friends and others in the wider public, media, government.

I feel like the nation is becoming split between us and them. ( vaccinated and unvaccinated). With things becoming unfair for people. Eg. may be able to travel and not quarantine if had vaccines, care home workers may be forced to have the vaccine. Now i get the point of view of they have had it and may be more "safe". But how is the ok in a freedom and rights point of view. As i stated freedom to do what you want with your body.

I feel like this world is becoming some kind of dystopian world. I miss my old life, i took all the freedom for granted. Its true that you don't realise how good it was until it's gone.
I don't want people to be hostile to me because of my choice to wait for long term data on the vaccine. Half of me wants to lie to people i've had it so they will not be stand off towards me.

OP posts:
Dustyboots · 18/06/2021 15:01

I feel just the same OP.

Exactly, pretty much, to the word of what you have written.

I should have lied but didn't. Now I no longer care. Our freedom has been reduced, it's true. But no one can take away the freedom you have in you mind. Hold on to that. That is precious.

everybodysang · 18/06/2021 15:03

It's not unfair. It's perfectly fair. You don't get the vaccine, you don't get to go places without quarantine, and we get to bring a close to this pandemic.

Otherwise I don't see why you need to tell people? Keep it to yourself and then nobody will be 'be stand off towards you'.

oneglassandpuzzled · 18/06/2021 15:04

You have the freedom to do what you want.

You may not have the freedom to travel as freely because YOU made that choice not to be vaccinated.

Seriouslymole · 18/06/2021 15:05

I feel exactly the same OP. I'm just avoiding the conversation as far as I can.

Temp023 · 18/06/2021 15:05

And you’re so much more precious than the rest of us, the people you are relying on to be the guinea pigs in your experimental cohort.
Of course we’re hostile !

Sensateria · 18/06/2021 15:06

I’ve been vaccinated but I’m aghast at some of the vitriol I’ve seen directed on here and on social media towards those that are choosing not to have the vaccine.

It’s your body, your choice and I accept and support that.

ineedaholidaynow · 18/06/2021 15:06

For those saying they are still in the test phase, how do they expect scientists to see results if people aren't having the vaccine?

OliveTree75 · 18/06/2021 15:08

@Sensateria

I’ve been vaccinated but I’m aghast at some of the vitriol I’ve seen directed on here and on social media towards those that are choosing not to have the vaccine.

It’s your body, your choice and I accept and support that.

Completely agree with this. I have had mine but understand why others haven't. I've never asked anyone if they've had it because it is none of my business.
Dustyboots · 18/06/2021 15:08

This reply has been deleted

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

minipie · 18/06/2021 15:08

The thing is that it’s not a choice that only affects the individual.

You don’t want to take the risk of having a new vaccine. I didn’t particularly want to take that risk either. Lots of people feel the same. But most of us have gone ahead and taken that risk anyway, because it’s the only way we were going to get back to normal life as a country.

Is it fair that you get to opt out of taking that risk, but meanwhile you benefit from the gradual opening up that has happened solely because of the vaccine and all the people who have taken the risk and had it?

Tbh if there are a few things you are restricted from, like travel, that seems a fair pay off for the fact you’ve chosen not to take a risk that others have swallowed.

Unless you are going to drip feed and explain the vaccine is especially risky for you?

youshouldbeplotting · 18/06/2021 15:09

The vaccines are not experimental and phase 4 follow up and monitoring is a normal part of the life cycle of newly approved/licensed drugs. This was posted on another thread about vaccines and may help you understand the true status of the vaccines.

fullfact.org/online/godfrey-bloom-video-makes-false-claims-about-vaccines/

It is your right to refuse the vaccine, but you have to accept that there may be potential drawbacks to not having it in the same way as those of us who choose the to have the vaccine accept that there may be potential drawbacks (possibility of mild side effects and a very very small possibility of serious side effects).

Original poster
ToTheLetter01 · 18/06/2021 15:09

@Temp023

And you’re so much more precious than the rest of us, the people you are relying on to be the guinea pigs in your experimental cohort. Of course we’re hostile !
I'm sorry you feel this way, but there is no need to direct anger towards people who decide not to have it. They do have a choice as did you at the time you decided to have it.
OP posts:
Br3style · 18/06/2021 15:09

@ToTheLetter01 I feel the exact same and completely agree with you.
Also there is always opposite discussion.
Vaccine = Freedom but with travel for example, there is debate about the potential risk of blood clots so who knows what final decisions will be.
Some people will have got the vaccine just for that reason and still don't know if they can travel.
So everyone just has to do what sits right with them and do not make any decision until one does sit right with you.

Original poster
ToTheLetter01 · 18/06/2021 15:10

@Sensateria

I’ve been vaccinated but I’m aghast at some of the vitriol I’ve seen directed on here and on social media towards those that are choosing not to have the vaccine.

It’s your body, your choice and I accept and support that.

Yes some of it has been really really awful. I would definitely not say this stuff to people who made their choice to have it or not. I know everyone has freedom of choice. Who am i to judge that.
OP posts:
Temp023 · 18/06/2021 15:12

You witter on about “freedoms”These are the freedoms that the people who have been vaccinated have allowed to happen because they have reduced the transmission and vigour of the virus by being vaccinated.
You people actually make me sick!

PurpleyBlue · 18/06/2021 15:12

I don't really care if you get it or not. Just as long as you aren't forced against your will.

youshouldbeplotting · 18/06/2021 15:13

To be fair, most of the vitriol I have seen is towards those who don't want the vaccine AND are spreading false information about the vaccines to try and put other people off. Anyone doing that deserves vitriol.

cantab94 · 18/06/2021 15:14

OP you have explained how I feel very well I had the first jab but for my own reasons decided not to have the second. It is none of anyone elses business but fed up with feeling I have to justify myself.

Dustyboots · 18/06/2021 15:14

You people actually make me sick!

Oh dear ...

Br3style · 18/06/2021 15:14

Other replies have proved your point massively Sad

Biancadelrioisback · 18/06/2021 15:15

But OP, there were plenty of places pre-covid where you needed a certain vaccine to travel to. I worked internationally and needed a whole bunch of vaccines before I could take the job including some which made me a bit poorly after. I chose to take the job and the vaccine was a part of that.

I am sure I read on here that some careers (medical professionals I think) had to have hepB vaccine before they could even get on the course (unverified!).

It's not exactly a new practice

speckledostrichegg · 18/06/2021 15:15

It is your right to refuse the vaccine, but you have to accept that there may be potential drawbacks to not having it in the same way as those of us who choose the to have the vaccine accept that there may be potential drawbacks (possibility of mild side effects and a very very small possibility of serious side effects).

@youshouldbeplotting yes this

No one should feel forced into having the vaccine if they're not comfortable with it, but of course this comes with it's own downsides

eventually population-level immunity will mean that everyone, vaccinated or non vaccinated, will have a good amount of protection. But until the time comes there needs to be some restrictions in place to supress transmission

Londonmummy00 · 18/06/2021 15:18

The most judgement I’ve had is from my mother in law. The others (all my husbands side of the family) i’m sure do talk about my ‘selfish decision’ but luckily don’t say too much to my face. Mother in law (who i usually get on well with) has called me selfish, that I need to do it to protect the vulnerable people (never mind what it could possibly do to harm me!) , it’s ‘people like me’ who are keeping us in this pandemic, amongst other things. Some have been very hurtful and nasty. I also read other people’s comments on here about not getting the vaccine and the comments are 9/10 times extremely rude and insulting.
I do not say similar things to people who DO choose the vaccine even though i have plenty i could say but i don’t as i don’t want to cause offence and of course it’s everyone’s individual choice to do what is right for THEM.
I was very much against having the vaccine and I have started to soften towards it lately. But people’s nastiness doesn’t make me want to have it, it’s the absolute opposite.

Biancadelrioisback · 18/06/2021 15:18

I am not against informed decision making at all and a right to say no btw. But you can't have your cake and eat it too

MRex · 18/06/2021 15:18

It's absolutely fine. The thing is though, if you don't get vaccinated then you pose a risk to others, so you have to appreciate there might be some restrictions on what you get up to or a requirement for additional testing that might cost you a little more.

I have a cleaner who keeps dithering over getting the jab; despite being highly exposed and vulnerable. She comes in our house in a mask, we keep some distance. I am group 6 with auto immune conditions, so a little more vulnerable. We also have a toddler who mixes with lots of other toddlers, none of whom can be vaccinated. We also have family come over from time to time including elderly parents (2 very high risk from covid), our support bubble and their children, again the children are of course vaccinated. So as it stands, her choice is adding an unnecessary risk to our household of isolation and illness (though hopefully mild due to our jabs and toddler being going). Do we continue to employ her? Honestly I'm not sure, I'm having to think very hard about what's best. If there won't be more lockdown it will eventually be unavoidable for her to come into contact with covid. I like her, but do I like her enough to miss 10 days of nursery and therefore 6-8 days of work income, plus risk unwell parents or isolation for our bubble, plus paying her to be off sick when she could have avoided it. Do you see why that's a really big ask, because her choice impacts us?

Make your choices by all means, but don't be surprised that others will also make their choices.

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