Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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 😆😆

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
wasthataburp · 05/07/2021 07:33

No thoughts, couldn't give a shit what someone else decides to do.

Shoxfordian · 05/07/2021 07:36

It’s because your choice means you’re spreading the virus, infecting people, slowing the recovery of the economy and stopping the removal of restrictions; all of which could directly affect me

beigebrownblue · 05/07/2021 07:41

It suits those in government to propagate the 'divide and rule' strategy.

As we all should know by now, as long as a group of people are busy blaming each other for what they do or not do, they are distracted from the ways in which tory policies destroy what is still known as 'society'. It's a smoke screen.

For those who remember Margaret Thatcher I believe quoted 'there is no such thing as society'.

What was meant was, there is nothing of value in any activity which is unpaid, or doesn't turn a financial profit for multi nationals and the government coffers.

Of course, as every mother knows - a mother's unpaid work holds up the sky. and that is not to romanticise it.

Personally i got both vaccines when asked because i am over fifty and a single parent, knowing that I needed to stay alive for my daughter and it seemed a balanced and pragmatic risk.

For those who are younger than me, or worried about their fertility or other health issues I totally get it that they wouldn't.

And if we have people quite literally starving across the country, including kids, then to my mind that needs fixing first.
Anyone who knows anything about immune systems knows that they are affected by all sorts of things, including decent food, and stress levels.

But an understanding of public health doesn't directly benefit the big pharma companies does it?

Why should it be news to anyone that covid hit poorest people hardest. With health and mental health.

It was the same with T.B. my mum had it when she was eighteen.

Overcrowding, poor life conditions and it was a poor persons disease.

Tories especially those in government don't value poor people as human beings , they are simply canon fodder and always have been.

OhWhyNot · 05/07/2021 07:41

I work with a few., patients and colleagues (nhs)

Entirely up to them. Colleagues it will impact their career path they know this still it’s their choice. We are sent endless videos to watch to change the minds of those that haven’t been vaccinated it’s never worked what has changed a few colleagues minds is around travel. Some patients are very paranoid or have delusional beliefs maybe they will come round but I doubt it

Enough of us have been vaccinated and I totally understand peoples concerns over the vaccination given the number of times guidelines have changed

twinmum86 · 05/07/2021 07:43

In answer to your question 'why are people so critical of those who have chosen not to take the vaccine?'

For me, I can't stop thinking about the vulnerable people who have either not been able to have the vaccine or have had it but their condition means the efficacy will be greatly diminished - they are reliant on everyone else taking precautions to protect them.
Additionally I do slightly resent the fact that people feel it's ok for me to be the guinea pig on their behalf. If everyone had refused it then there would be no trial data and therefore no vaccine.

Personally I haven't actually said anything negative to anyone refusing the vaccine - just answering your question!

Rillington · 05/07/2021 07:44

My friends perfectly healthy 18 year old has currently got Covid. She is in a right state struggling to breathe. Her head feels like it's going to explode from the headaches. She was due her vaccination the day after she was notified she was positive. It is a nasty illness why wouldn't you take a chance of stopping yourself getting it?

CupOfTPlease · 05/07/2021 07:50

You do you.

Why oh why is there threads all the time on this. If you're so confident in your decision why do you need some sort of validation. Does it make you feel superior? I don't get it.

You don't see threads on the names people get called for having the vaccination.

hellocheese1 · 05/07/2021 07:50

I tend towards thinking those who refuse it (and all other vaccines) being uneducated and selfish. I wouldn't say it to your face as it is your choice but it can have a negative impact other people's health and you are relying on other people to get the vaccine for you to be safe, which I find very selfish.

OhWhyNot · 05/07/2021 07:55

Where did I say I have not been vaccinated in my post ?

I mentioned colleagues and patients I work with

I have had both vaccinations at the beginning of the year I’m thankful I had Pfizer but would have had either

I don’t have strong feelings against those who have chosen not to vaccinate I can understand anxiety some feel. The conspiracy theories no but then that depends on the person themselves for some this comes from being very paranoid

OhWhyNot · 05/07/2021 07:56

Oops ignore my last post I thought Cup of was replying to my post Blush

DownSideUpped · 05/07/2021 07:59

Shoxfordian

It’s because your choice means you’re spreading the virus, infecting people, slowing the recovery of the economy and stopping the removal of restrictions; all of which could directly affect me

Do you honestly believe that unvaccinated people all have the virus and vaccinated people don’t? As I have said further up the thread, two local schools currently with one covid case, fully jabbed, and the other has three, fully jabbed, resulting in the latter school having those year groups now isolating. Also, a lot of unvaccinated people had the virus last year and are highly unlikely to be walking around spreading it to anybody. You are suffering from propaganda spread fear.

SycamoreGap · 05/07/2021 08:02

@Mulhollandmagoo

I'm really confused as to why unvaccinated people are a risk to vaccinated people? I'm doubled vaxxed, and my understanding is that the vaccine was never intended to stop transmission, only to combat serious symptoms, so if I were to catch it my chance of serious illness would be very low - therefore it makes no difference to me who is or isn't vaccinated? This is genuinely not me being obtuse I would to know.

But in answer to your question, no, I don't think less of people who aren't vaccinated. Your body your choice.

It makes a difference to those with compromised immune systems where the vaccine isn’t as effective.
DownSideUpped · 05/07/2021 08:03

You don't see threads on the names people get called for having the vaccination.
No but there are hundreds of threads cursing the unvaccinated!

everythingthelighttouches · 05/07/2021 08:05

OP: “why is everyone so critical of my choice? I have the right to make it”

Hundreds of posters: “here is my answer to your question and an explanation of why I am critical. We have a right to think it and say it”

OP: “you’re all horrible meanies and not being kind to me. You shouldn’t say these things!”

DownSideUpped · 05/07/2021 08:07

Rillington

Her head feels like it's going to explode from the headaches.

Which it might also if she were to have the AZ jab. All my colleagues had severe headaches after it and a friend’s mum was hospitalised due to post jab headache. As bad as covid is (I know because I’d had it) she will most likely never have it again.

DynamoKev · 05/07/2021 08:07

@gamerchick

One thing was a referendum over a political issue. The other is a question of of health and ethics - it’s not even as if a 52 - 48 split between vaccinations and non*vaccinations would mean everyone got or didn’t get the virus. The two things aren’t even remotely comparable or similar

I did, because it reminds me of the endless whining that went on. The 2 affected everyone. The endless namecalling that went on and still going on.

Leavers selfish, thick, racist etc. The unvaccinated, thick, selfish and self serving.

It just goes on and on.

Sorry - see your point now - I agree about the name calling.
DareIask · 05/07/2021 08:08

If your choice affects only you then of course that's not selfish.

But choosing not to be vaccinated does affect others, and the way we all live.

Odisia · 05/07/2021 08:08

I totally respect the right of freedom of choice. If individuals choose not to have the vaccine that is up to them. I don't wish to discuss it with them though, and I find that the small number of people I know who have refused the vaccine always want to discuss it. I respect their choice, and I hope they then accept my choice not to spend time with them.

Ohhok · 05/07/2021 08:12

I’m educated in immunology. I’m a scientist and immunology/microbiology are my areas of interest.
I just think it’s so foolish giving yourself unnecessary risk by remaining unvaccinated when the vaccines are so effective.
I know there can be rare complications with the vaccine. But life has rare complications, and the complications resulting from getting covid itself are far worse. My sibling in their 20s was hospitalised for a week with covid.

Rillington · 05/07/2021 08:22

@DownSideUpped I had AZ myself and didn't have any side effects. Nobody in my family and friends had any side effects apart from a sore/dead arm.

pointythings · 05/07/2021 08:24

I don't have an opinion on the people who have chosen not to be vaccinated, but they do need to accept the consequences of their choices, whatever those might be. So if a cinema chain decides that they will not allow unvaccinated people entry unless they are exempt for health reasons, then that's a consequence - you live with it. Same with travel and other outings. These things might happen, or they might not - but if they do, you suck it up. Personal choice, personal consequence.

Silvercatowner · 05/07/2021 08:26

All my colleagues had severe headaches after it and a friend’s mum was hospitalised due to post jab headache

Really? All of them? You and your colleagues must be hugely unlucky. No-one I know had anything more than a mild headache. I had no issues with it apart from a sore arm, neither did OH.

(It's this constant hyperbole that just confuses and misleads and is unhelpful in the extreme).

Notthemessiah · 05/07/2021 08:26

@AmIPeriOrAreYouJustAnnoying

The reason people are annoyed OP is because your choice affects us all.

If you can't understand that and don't care that you may be spreading the virus and ultimately putting lives in danger, then there's no point having a conversation with you about this.

But I will judge you. 🤷‍♀️

And I'll judge you if you drive a car, fly places on holiday, own a pet, ever have the heating above 19 degrees, eat meat, drive over the speed limit, etc etc.
twinmum86 · 05/07/2021 08:28

Oh yes - the other thing is if enough people remain unvaccinated, spreading it between themselves there is chance for more variants to arise - possibly these variants could be vaccine resistant and if so we'd be back to square 1!

Whitchurch · 05/07/2021 08:30

@DownSideUpped

Rillington

Her head feels like it's going to explode from the headaches.

Which it might also if she were to have the AZ jab. All my colleagues had severe headaches after it and a friend’s mum was hospitalised due to post jab headache. As bad as covid is (I know because I’d had it) she will most likely never have it again.

I had a migraine with vomiting to the point that an ambulance was sent out to me. I had an IV drug and felt better really quickly. That doesn't mean I won't have a booster when necessary. I'll seek medical advice to find out what would be best and whether I should be avoiding a particular vaccine (AZ in my case). Maybe it's because I've suffered regular severe migraines in the past, but I'd still rather have a day of discomfort than Covid.