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Original poster

Thoughts on the non-vaccinated!

933 replies

UnluckyMe · 04/07/2021 22:31

Why have people been so critical of those who have chosen not to be vaccinated against covid 19?

I've read all sorts of comments about those, like me, who chose not to be vaccinated calling us selfish, uneducated and so on. There seems to be a massive lack of respect for what others choose to do with their body and I'm just curious as go why people feel the need to make comments about it. There are obviously many who don't and I do acknowledge that, my post is more directed to thoughts on why the other side do (feels very playground bully like to me).

The way I see it is everyone has a choice - respect that choice and move on with life rather than throwing insults at one another or dwell on something out of your own control.

I'd also like to confirm i do not own tin foil hat, expect the end of days soon or believe everyone will drop dead in 6 months / will transform into magneto from X-Men (all those coins sticking to people's arms!)

I have followed the rules down to a tee but have just chosen not to be vaccinated at present. Maybe I will change my mind, maybe I won't 🤷‍♀️ who knows.

I am genuinely curious - I read on another post "all vulnerable and sensible people have had the jab" as a comment which riled me a bit too! I like to think I'm pretty sensible but clearly this Mumsnetter thinks otherwise 😆😆

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TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 04/07/2021 22:33

Given that you have already said it feels bully like to you, how can anyone answer your question without your feeling even more bullied?

XenoBitch · 04/07/2021 22:34

I have no thoughts on them (I am one myself anyway). Having the vaccine is a choice, and I am happy for the people who were so desperate to have it.

I expect we will get ripped to shreds on this board though.

gamerchick · 04/07/2021 22:36

What I want to know is why the endless threads on choosing not to be vaccinated. If you're so sure about your choice then why the need to be validated for it? Just get on with it.

Original poster
UnluckyMe · 04/07/2021 22:36

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

Given that you have already said it feels bully like to you, how can anyone answer your question without your feeling even more bullied?
I'd assume as adults we would be able to have a healthy debate without feeling bullied. No one needs to name call or throw insults, I'm asking for reasons not bully like behaviour.
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LonginesPrime · 04/07/2021 22:37

I like to think I'm pretty sensible but clearly this Mumsnetter thinks otherwise

No-one else can tell you why that MNer said what they said - why not ask them?

Original poster
UnluckyMe · 04/07/2021 22:38

@gamerchick

What I want to know is why the endless threads on choosing not to be vaccinated. If you're so sure about your choice then why the need to be validated for it? Just get on with it.
Equally the same could be said on those who choose to be vaccinated. I'm not asking or shouting about doing so or not, I'm asking why people feel the need to shame those who don't.
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Original poster
UnluckyMe · 04/07/2021 22:39

@XenoBitch

I have no thoughts on them (I am one myself anyway). Having the vaccine is a choice, and I am happy for the people who were so desperate to have it.

I expect we will get ripped to shreds on this board though.

Lol. That is exactly what I mean, why would someone want to rip someone to shreads on a personal choice?
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kurstytemple · 04/07/2021 22:40

I've had the vaccines but I couldn't care less who chooses not to. It wouldn't make me view them different in the slightest or stay away from them. It doesn't make me think of them as stupid or uneducated. It's up to the individual, totally their choice and no judgment here. Others care so much because they need to find something to be outraged about when in reality it is none of their business what someone else puts in their body.

TheGoogleMum · 04/07/2021 22:40

It's because we need herd immunity, people refusing the vaccine are being selfish

gamerchick · 04/07/2021 22:41

It's like brexit all over again. Except now the leavers are the unvaccinated. You're going to get shit because those choices affect everyone. We want our lives back. Not sure what you're wanting outside of the zillion other 'im not getting the vaccine', stop being mean' threads

Original poster
UnluckyMe · 04/07/2021 22:42

@LonginesPrime

I like to think I'm pretty sensible but clearly this Mumsnetter thinks otherwise

No-one else can tell you why that MNer said what they said - why not ask them?

I couldn't tag the person who made the comment to do so. Then it got me thinking. It isn't an isolated comment, I see it a lot on this site. Just made me curious as to why people think this way, perhaps propaganda or the feeling of the vaccination giving you a different status. I really don't know the reason for the belittling behaviour!
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JustATypo · 04/07/2021 22:42

Because your lack of vaccination puts others at risk. So it’s not a personal choice about what you are doing or not doing to “your” body. Your choice endangers the health of others, and the livelihood of others. So I can’t see how others can’t be critical of that.

Popfan · 04/07/2021 22:42

Trouble is, if everyone had the same feelings as you the country would be in an awful position right now. I'm relieved most adults have been vaccinated.

Wolfiefan · 04/07/2021 22:42

It’s their choice! I have a good friend who has chosen not to get the vaccine. Not because she’s anti vax or believes FB bollocks though! She has had extremely serious reactions to past medications. (Sorry don’t know exact details.)
But I do wonder why people wouldn’t choose a vaccine that could save their life based on rumour and hearsay.
That’s not what she’s doing.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 04/07/2021 22:43

It is because unlike other health choices it has an impact on other people. Why would you not do something which would considerably lessen the risk of passing covid on to someone else who might be more vulnerable than you?

WitchQueenOfDarkness · 04/07/2021 22:43

I have one friend who has chosen not to be vaccinated and is struggling to understand why I won't have lunch with her.

It's her decision of course but I also have the right not to knowingly put myself at risk.

BounceyBumblebee · 04/07/2021 22:43

Herd mentality. Covid fear has become like a religion to some. Not following the narrative, and going against the grain, is like blasphemy to them.

Just ignore them. Keep quite, once the majority have been vaccinated the gov will end the propaganda and it'll all be forgotten.

Cherryana · 04/07/2021 22:43

The vaccination programme working is because people have to take a possible individual risk for the good of the ‘group’ or in our case, country.

It’s quite a different way of thinking than our individualistic society.

Because so many have had it, it’s entirely plausible that you will benefit from the risk taken by others and you will never had to take the individual risk.

I do think that because I have had the vaccine to suppose that I don’t concern myself with the risk of putting something alien into my body would be incorrect. Of course I do but on balance I think:

  • vaccination programmes have saved lives and helped us immensely eg polio, measles etc
  • the people first in the queue to have it were healthcare professionals
  • same healthcare professionals are not ‘government loving drones’ but highly educated and experienced professionals
  • that it works is self evident of because less people are dying since the vaccine has been administered- this is not some government coverup or hoax this is seen in the data.
Lucidas · 04/07/2021 22:43

You’re a vector for transmission and a potential variant factory. In other words, part of the problem. You’re almost certainly not part of the solution.

Not only are vaccinated people far less likely to catch covid, but even if they do catch it, they’re less likely to pass it on. This much has been clearly established by now.

RoomOfRequirement · 04/07/2021 22:43

I assume those who choose not to get it are either stupid or selfish. Possibly both.

Original poster
UnluckyMe · 04/07/2021 22:44

@JustATypo

Because your lack of vaccination puts others at risk. So it’s not a personal choice about what you are doing or not doing to “your” body. Your choice endangers the health of others, and the livelihood of others. So I can’t see how others can’t be critical of that.
So do you think less of those who choose not to be vaccinated?
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Kidsaregrim · 04/07/2021 22:44

I’ve found that people get upset that unvaccinated people are holding society back from coming out of this pandemic, like they are not contributing to herd immunity.

I do not agree.

I am vaccinated and vaccinate people.

I get irritated by the person in the hairdressers who tells the unvaccinated hairdresser not to have it because she will catch HIV. And she listens and thanks her because she has only heard about the “chip”.

I’m all for the person who comes to the vaccination centre, listens, weighs up the pros and cons, reads the information sheet and says “I don’t think I want it yet/at all”

Thank you for coming, not my body, not my choice. No one and I mean NO ONE, pandemic or no pandemic has the right to tell any other person what they should do with their body.

SionnachRua · 04/07/2021 22:44

Your body, your choice. Here in Ireland I'm refusing to sign up for AZ/J&J which are due to be distributed in pharmacies. I'm happy to wait for my age group to be called for Moderna and Pfizer. You have the final say on what goes in your body.

Salanda · 04/07/2021 22:44

@TheGoogleMum

It's because we need herd immunity, people refusing the vaccine are being selfish
Yes. By not having the vaccine you’re putting others at risk.

It’s fair that people have the right to decide not to have the vaccine, but then society also has the right to limit access to certain spaces - like travel, large events, offices and other working environments - to those who are vaccinated (and those who cannot have the vaccine for medical reasons).

OnOldOlympus · 04/07/2021 22:45

Personally I think that when it comes to public health, sometimes what’s best for society as a whole has to come above individual choice. Hence why (as one example) there are laws in place so that patient-doctor confidentiality can be broken if the patient has a notifiable disease. It’s a tricky area with a lot of nuance, but ultimately I’m glad that the majority of people have chosen to have the vaccine and I hope that that brings us one step closer to bringing this disease under control.