Thoughts on the non-vaccinated!

[UnluckyMe]

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 😆😆

@sunflower095 not sure you'll see this as I can't tag for some reason, but I have to disagree.

Vaccines and medicine go through years of clinical trials and still get rejected years into research. This jab is producing adverse effects in some users. It hasn't gone through the same testing cycles so comparing it to cancer treatment and other vaccinations is not a valid point. You cannot compare something that has been in use for decades and gone through the proper trials to something that was produced in a matter of months.

The entire drive is a mass clinical trial. Data is being gathered as each day goes by with the aim to make it more effective. I'm sure the media portrayed the vaccine as a one off, then it was a booster this year and they are talking about it being a yearly injection like the flu jab. The narrative is constantly changing because they are still working on it!

But what if everyone had refused? How on Earth do we get out of this without the vaccinations? So those of you who refuse are relying on those of us who take that small risk. It’s bigger than any individual and I think those who can get jabbed should be acting to protect those who actually can’t.
So I do find it a little frustrating tbh.

My thoughts on the unvaccinated are theyre a bit mad, and id probably not invite them in, but other than that, i dont care. Its their funeral

@Popfan

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.

This. What if everyone decided that they didn't want the vaccine? We would be in deep shit now and your life and freedoms would be curtailed for way longer.

Your life is going to be significantly improved in the next months compared to what it has been, because other people have made the choice to take the risk and get vaccinated. You need to own that, not moan about people being mean to you.

It didn't even occur to me not to get vaccinated to be honest, I find it bizarre.

I agree and accept it is a personal choice and I would never advocate for mandatory vaccination (except potentially for certain jobs). However as others have said, if everyone declined to have it we’d be in an even bigger shit show than we are.

It’s incredible that these life saving vaccines have been developed and given us the chance to beat this fucking virus. It feels like such a privileged position that we have access to this and personally I can’t see the logic for people refusing it, barring medical reasons. It has been through rigorous testing (despite what some say!) and the real world data shows that it is effective. Yes there are very small risks, but that’s the case with any vaccine or medical treatment.

It’s all very well for people to say ‘well you’ve had it so what’s the problem’ - but the point is if not enough people have it then the herd immunity goal is harder and slower to reach. So the decision to refuse it DOES effect everyone.

Personally what annoys me is when people say ‘I’m not having it yet, I’ll wait to see how it goes for everyone else’ - so they’re happy for others to take the risk, which will ultimately benefit everyone including them, but not to ‘risk it’ themselves. It’s quite a selfish stance to me.

I had no issue with unvaccinated, until a few days ago. A friend has had to miss her sisters wedding this weekend, for which she was meant to be a bridesmaid, after her work colleague (unvaccinated) went down with covid. My friend was a close contact. My friend has had one dose, and hopefully will be okay.

Exactly what @EmergencyHydrangea says. You’re perfectly entitled to not have the vaccine, your body your choice and I absolutely respect your right to make that choice as I’m sure the vast majority of people do.
However - you can’t demand that people respect your choice. Of course lots will think it’s a poor choice for all sorts of reasons and have the right to tell you that. I’m sure some out of sincere concern for your own welfare, and some from concern for others more vulnerable than you who you are deciding to pose more of a risk to than is necessary. I’m sorry if people are being nasty, but I would want someone to challenge me if they thought I was making a decision that endangered myself and others.

And the irony is that if no one got vaccinated or there was ko vaccine, and we were still up to our neck in pandemic for months and possibly years to come, it would be the current anti-vax types who would be screaming the loudest about how unfair it all is.

@LonginesPrime

So do you think less of those who choose not to be vaccinated?

I'm interested in why it matters to you what other people think about your choice, OP - surely the important thing is how you feel about your choice?

People criticise other people for all sorts of things - religious choices, dietary choices, relationship choices, etc - people have some surprisingly vehement opinions on all sorts of things that are someone else's decision to make, so it's pointless trying to understand where they're coming from if they're clearly on a different page.

Thanks for the response. Just curious to understand how others think really. I'm all up for healthy debate and I think the way you responded was spot. We all think differently and hold different views which conflict to others sometimes - doesn't mean we are any less in value.

Have a lovely evening :)

I am vaccinated so am no longer personally worried about contracting covid, and have worked every day throughout.

I am pleased that we live in a society where individuals can choose whether to have it or not whilst still being baffled by those who have chosen not to have it.

I think it is incredible that we now have effective vaccines, swiftly rolled out, and that they are absolutely key to the reopening of society. People who don't want them are fascinating to me. I don't understand how anyone can read the data and not want to keep themselves safe and help society back to normality.

My goddaughter can't have the vaccine, leaving her very susceptible to covid and associated complications. When I hear about people refusing it, I feel that they can't care about people like my goddaughter.

I also dont care that it hasnt had years of testing. Its clearly better than getting covid, and tbh, ive done plenty of drugs in my time. Itd actually be quite funny if it was a vaccine that got me!

Personally what annoys me is when people say ‘I’m not having it yet, I’ll wait to see how it goes for everyone else’ - so they’re happy for others to take the risk, which will ultimately benefit everyone including them, but not to ‘risk it’ themselves. It’s quite a selfish stance to me.

Well that's exactly what parents who don't vaccinate their kids do - they rely on the herd immunity from everyone else risking their kids, to protect their own kids. It's so utterly selfish.

Every single person I know that's had the flu vaccine has been very ill with Covid...I dont think it's a coincidence.

...Could it be because the people that are offered the flu jab are the people who are most vulnerable to viral infections, and are therefore the same people who are likely to become seriously ill if they get Covid? Could that possibly be the link there?

If we didn’t have a vaccine yet you’d probably be moaning about that. Some people just like to do the opposite of what is being suggested.

I don’t think any less of anyone who had decided against the vaccine. Unless they’re doing it because of some weird covid conspiracy theory beliefs. I admit I hesitated a bit myself before getting the first vaccine. We don’t know the long term implications of it and that’s kind of scary. I got it eventually because I do think we have a duty to work together for the greater good. If there’s a chance that as many people as possible getting the vaccine will help us get back to as close to normal as possible, then I’ll take it. I want my kids to have the freedom I did growing up.

There are some really balanced and well written responses on here. Thanks for taking the time respond.

Have a lovely evening all :)

You can do whatever you want with your body your choice. We’re where we’re because people have taken the risk. I’ll be less risky to pass the virus to someone vulnerable than what you’re.

Not sure what is the point of another thread about how your choice is the right one. If you’re so sure about it you don’t need people telling you why you’re right or wrong. I barely see threads of people that have had rhe vaccine to say why everyone should have it. Yet i see loads of threads of people that refuse to have it and try to convince that they’re doing the right thing.

Are you grateful to all those people who have had the vaccine OP?

People will call you selfish whilst only wanting you to have it for selfish reasons, either to protect them or to validate their own choice but totally fail to see the irony. They'll pretend they had it done to protect others, but we all know that for 99% of people that's total horse shit.

I had it done to protect me. The fact it helps to protect others is a nice but totally secondary minor benefit. I'd obviously prefer it if everyone else did the same because it protects me (and other people I care about) even more, plus it means less likelihood of more lockouts. I totally respect anyone's right to choose though and would like to think I'd be out on the streets protesting if they made it mandatory for everyone. I think it's appalling that care workers are being blackmailed into it.

The way I see it is everyone has a choice Not if you work in a care home you don't. It's get vaccinated or be fired which I think takes away from human rights. The care sector is already on its knees nationwide due to people having left in droves because the responsibility is overwhelming yet you would earn more working in Aldi. The government doesn't seem to have a plan for this. Mind you it's a Tory government so as long as they don't have to lower themselves to caring for a loved one it's fine. Even the agencies can't cover 80% of shifts they are required to. I stand to lose many amazing carers due to them being forced to have the vaccine or having to leave care. It honestly makes me sick. I'm pro vaccine but I'm also pro human rights.

@Justarandompersonontheinternet

If we didn’t have a vaccine yet you’d probably be moaning about that. Some people just like to do the opposite of what is being suggested.

🙄 yeh thanks for your input.

Sorry OP That might have seemed like it was a pop at you! It really wasn't at all!

Only saying this because you’ve asked. I think people get pissed that you’re putting your wants and needs before others. I’ve had the vaccine to get the country open again for my children’s future. So myDS to have the full uni experience, so my DD is be able to go to concerts with her friends. Etc etc I know there’s a bit of a risk having it but I prepared to take that risk to get things moving again.

People will call you selfish whilst only wanting you to have it for selfish reasons, either to protect them or to validate their own choice but totally fail to see the irony. They'll pretend they had it done to protect others, but we all know that for 99% of people that's total horse shit.

I am generally really healthy with no risk factors for serious illness from Covid. I had already had Covid by the time the vaccine came along. I had been ill with it for about 24 hours and overall it was probably less bad than a nasty cold. I was pretty sure that if I were to get it again I would not be at risk of serious illness. It didn't even occur to me not to get the vaccine, but I definitely wasn't doing it to protect myself!

Vaccines and medicine go through years of clinical trials and still get rejected years into research. This jab is producing adverse effects in some users. It hasn't gone through the same testing cycles so comparing it to cancer treatment and other vaccinations is not a valid point. You cannot compare something that has been in use for decades and gone through the proper trials to something that was produced in a matter of months.

This vaccine has gone through all the testing. It was so quick to be developed because so much funding was made available, funding that normally requires loads of paperwork and hoop-jumping and time to get. There was so much money pumped into it that the researchers could conduct the different trials in parallel, instead of waiting for each phase to be completed before committing to the next. That’s why it’s been so extremely fast.