Do 18yr olds really need to have the jab?

[In2mindsaaarrgghh]

My 18yr old DS hasn’t had his first jab and keeps putting it off. We have discussed this with him, however he says it’s not something he’s worried about. He also tested positive a few months ago, despite being completely asymptomatic, so hasn’t experienced any negative Covid effects, including Long Covid. I guess there is a feeling of invincibility. He does have mild asthma, however no other underlying health conditions. So pretty fit and healthy generally. The thing is I can see things from his point of view. So I’m not pushing him to have the jab, despite being double jabbed myself. My main issue is with the incidences of Pericarditis and Myocarditis in young men who’ve had the Pfizer jab. The MHRA and the JCVI have confirmed that there is a small risk in this group. So, I’m not keen on him having the jab until we have further information, neither is he but for different reasons. I know it may limit him socially but to be honest there are ways round it. Travel abroad may be the main issue, but that doesn’t really matter this year. Is anyone else in the same situation or have concerns about the Pfizer jab in the young?

@bumbleymummy

If he’s had it already then he’ll have immunity. Proof of a previous positive test can be counted for travel etc as it is considered proof of immunity.

Not in all countries. It doesn't count in England as proof.

Not everyone who had had Covid Will have antibodies. We don't yet know how long the virus acquired antibodies last. I still had them 7.5 months after Covid but no idea how long for unless I keep doing checks.

@Abraxan Young children (

Its counted for domestic use in the U.K. If they’re not counting it for travel then it just shows that this is more about coercion than actually reducing spread. In Ireland, presumptive immunity has been increased to 9 months based on evidence from several studies from around the world.

Given that the current infection rates and the likelihood that Covid will be with us for a long while, possibly forever, I put it to our teens that one of two things were pretty certain:

A. They get Covid at some point. (None had had it already.)

B. They get vaccinated. (Might still get Covid, but the disease is far less likely to be harmful. Might need booster shots.)

Then it becomes a risk assessment of which causes more harm statistically to their age group, the vaccine or the disease.
Which would you rather roll the dice on?

They all want the jab.

How do I prevent myself from getting the arthritis I began with in my 30s? The one that affects my immune system and the one where the medication saps my immune system too? My arthritis is linked to psoriasis which I started with when I was a young healthy 13-14 year old girl.

I agree it isn't as simple as protect your own immune system. My husband has autoimmune diseases as do quite a few of his family, it is obviously hereditary in his family. Not everyone starts off on a level playing field here, it's all well and good saying look after yourself and you will be fine but if my husband doesn't take a host of medications everyday he won't be fine. Some sun and veg isn't enough to stop him from ending up in hospital unfortunately.

@bumbleymummy

Its counted for domestic use in the U.K. If they’re not counting it for travel then it just shows that this is more about coercion than actually reducing spread. In Ireland, presumptive immunity has been increased to 9 months based on evidence from several studies from around the world.

I really think there's far better things they can do with that many vaccine doses than coerce teenagers into taking them.

Mine aren't old enough yet, but they both had asymptomatic covid, and adament they won't be getting the jab. I don't blame them..... I might have felt differently if they hadn't had covid.

I agree @Toesies. There are front line medical workers and vulnerable people in other countries that haven’t been vaccinated yet.

@bumbleymummy

I agree *@Toesies*. There are front line medical workers and vulnerable people in other countries that haven’t been vaccinated yet.

You misunderstood me. Coercion isn't necessary. It isn't a deliberate tool being used here - that is your implication.

I agree that vaccine doses for vulnerable people elsewhere is a good cause, though. Bravo.

@bumbleymummy
What do you think restrictions and lockdowns were actually for? You realise that children and young people weren’t the ones filling up the hospitals right?

You've totally missed the point. I NEVER said children and young people were filling up hospitals.

It's obvious it's the older generations that are more likely to end up in hospitals. My point is, the younger generation are more socially active and, therefore, are more likely to catch and spread the virus. This is how it ends up infecting older generations, they end up going into hospital. If the hospitals start to fill up, BANG we all end up with restrictions and lockdowns and everything coming to a grinding halt.

Restrictions and lockdowns hit the younger generations: remote learning, impacts on the economy, future careers etc.

So unless there is a good medical reason why you shouldn't have the jab the younger generation need to think carefully before they decide against it. If they want their lives back to pre pandemic levels they need to participate in the vaccination programme.

It's not point whining that their lives are being put on hold and it's so unfair etc if they aren't willing to have the vaccine to try and stop the spread.

@bumbleymummy

And to specifically answer your point: restrictions and lockdowns were to stop the NHS becoming totally overwhelmed and not being able to cope.

The older and vulnerable groups have been vaccinated and are being prioritised for boosters. There’s not much else we can do. We don’t shut down the country for flu every year even though some older and vulnerable still get sick and die despite them being vaccinated.

@HairyToity
Mine aren't old enough yet, but they both had asymptomatic covid, and adament they won't be getting the jab. I don't blame them..... I might have felt differently if they hadn't had covid.

Clearly their choice but please don't come on here whining about remote learning and your DC's mental health if we end up back in restrictions.

I've been through 2 very tough years with DC's doing GCSEs/ALevels remotely.

As other posters have said, the vaccine helps every generation. It isn't just there to protect the older generations. It enables everyone to get their lives back on track.

I must admit I am uncomfortable with the attitude that we should have a vaccine that is of no benefit to us to protect others.

Lucky we don't all think like that isn't it?

Besides it is of benefit to us!

The older and vulnerable groups have been vaccinated and are being prioritised for boosters. There’s not much else we can do. We don’t shut down the country for flu every year even though some older and vulnerable still get sick and die despite them being vaccinated.

But this isn't flu and we know from the last 18 months, if the NHS looks like it is going to get overwhelmed they will reintroduce restrictions and then all our lives get put on hold again. Surely, you can see high levels of vaccination will help prevent this happening.

@StCharlotte

I must admit I am uncomfortable with the attitude that we should have a vaccine that is of no benefit to us to protect others.

Lucky we don't all think like that isn't it?

Besides it is of benefit to us!

Not really for young people. Their risk of hospitalisation/death is already very very low.

Sigh. How many times?!

If covid spreads through a university it will be staff (ancillary as well as teaching) who are felled, as well as many students, thus spoiling everyone’s experience. So if you are selfish, then it pays to be the jab to maximise your chances of having a good time, even if you don’t give a wotsit about transmitting it.

@Thiscantreallybehappening

The older and vulnerable groups have been vaccinated and are being prioritised for boosters. There’s not much else we can do. We don’t shut down the country for flu every year even though some older and vulnerable still get sick and die despite them being vaccinated.

But this isn't flu and we know from the last 18 months, if the NHS looks like it is going to get overwhelmed they will reintroduce restrictions and then all our lives get put on hold again. Surely, you can see high levels of vaccination will help prevent this happening.

High levels of vaccination in the groups most likely to end up in hospital -which we have.

And I didn’t say it was flu. Just pointing out that we do expect (and accept) a certain level of deaths from some viruses without restricting the country.

Not really for young people. Their risk of hospitalisation/death is already very very low.

Re their own covid risk - it's not hospitalisation and death Dd and her friends hope to avoid. It's being poorly enough to feel ill at home - if they can help reduce that then they are happy to. It's why Dd also asks us to pay for her flu jab each year, after getting a nasty dose of that one year. And she knows what my post covid effects have been and how long it's taking to recover from a moderate case - she'd rather avoid the risk of ping covid if she can. She knows it won't stop the risk altogether but is happy to do what she can to reduce her risk full stop.

As I said, everyone is free to make their own decision. Unfortunately, as is the case in many situations, some decisions have consequences. If they are happy to accept the consequences, then fair enough.

[quote bumbleymummy]@Abraxan Young children (

I have never ever understood why anyone would want children to take this experimental vaccine. The long term effects are completely unknown

I fully agree with you on this CoastalWave If people truly care about their kids, why on earth would they let them take part in a trial??

@bumbleymummy
Not really for young people. Their risk of hospitalisation/death is already very very low.

Young people having the vaccination stops the spread. Surely you can see that. If young people want their lives back to normal and free of lockdowns and restrictions they need to participate in the vaccination programme.

@bumbleymummy
High levels of vaccination in the groups most likely to end up in hospital -which we have.

And I didn’t say it was flu. Just pointing out that we do expect (and accept) a certain level of deaths from some viruses without restricting the country.

Firstly, yes we do have high vaccination levels in groups most likely to end up in hospital. However, you can see cases rises and also hospital admissions you know full well this might lead to another variant or to this wave situation spiralling out of control. No one really knows what is ahead of us but we do know if we have high levels of vaccination across ALL age groups it will limit the spread, limit extra pressure on the NHS and, therefore, keep the country out of more restrictions and lockdowns.

It's really pointless to keep saying the younger age group don't suffer with severe illness. If the younger age group want to get on with their lives free of restrictions and lockdowns they need to help stop the spread of the virus and the way to do that is to take the vaccination.

You indicated that we didn't shut down for flu so you were comparing. You can't compare, this is very different.

[quote Thiscantreallybehappening]**@bumbleymummy
Not really for young people. Their risk of hospitalisation/death is already very very low.

Young people having the vaccination stops the spread. Surely you can see that. If young people want their lives back to normal and free of lockdowns and restrictions they need to participate in the vaccination programme.[/quote]
The spread really isn’t that important when the most vulnerable are protected. Infection also confers immunity.

we do know if we have high levels of vaccination across ALL age groups it will limit the spread

We actually don’t know that. The delta variant is still spreading despite high levels of coverage. People who have had two doses are still contracting and spreading it. The vaccines are reducing risk of serious illness though, which is good news.

Yes, I can compare. They both spread, they both kill people, we shut down for one but not the other.