Conflicted about vaccinating 17 year old

[Backofbeyond50]

So dd is about to enter year 13 and has been offered vaccine. Part of me thinks she should have it as she is going to University next year and no one really knows how COVID affects individuals who are perceived to be low risk. Than there is Long COVID. DH firmly believes she should have it and more importantly she wants it too.
I will of course facilitate her choice but why do I have a tiny niggling doubt? I know I have been dripped rather alot of poison from an anti vax relative and I know this will ramp up if she discovers she has had vaccine?
So difficult.

Nothing at all to be conflicted about.

Your DD has made the most sensible choice for herself, and you need to stop paying any attention to the bullshitting relative.

My seventeen year old has just had the jab, because she is going to study biochemistry and luckily understands the issues a lot better than you and your odd relation do.

You don't even seem to understand that starting a thread about your totally spurious "doubts" is adding to the misinformation! But sure, give brain space to the relation show says you and your DH will now die from having the vax At least your DH and DD seem to have more common sense than you.

As a parent, I think it's natural to worry. We've both been vaccinated, only had minor side effects, but I still worried DD would be ok (nothing to do with her age).

She's over 16, she gets to choose, end of. My DD's are already double vaxxed, 20&22 and it was fine. Dd1 had AZ (had early due to ld) and dd2 Pfizer.

It is hard not to give something as vile as that headspace. It nearly destroyed my relationship with said relative which is sad as she is the last of the generation above in the family.
Obviously I very vociferously pointed out how wrong she was.

As you say, OP, it's her choice and you have to respect it. So what's the point of worrying about something you can't control?

I think this is exactly right. There's nothing you can do either way, so let it go.

Also you need better boundaries with the antivax relative, since their actions are actually harming you now. He or she is entitled to take that approach themselves and to hold whatever views they want, it's a free country. They're not entitled to communicate them to you without being told to shut up and fuck off in return.

My 17 year old has had both his doses! He wanted to have it, understood that it was for his and everyone else's benefit and will probably have a booster in the autumn due to his eligibility for the flu jab. If your daughter wants it she is able to have it without any input from you! She doesn't need your permission and can have it even if you don't want her to. Why if you have had it would you not want her to?

I I have told dd it is her decision entirely and not offered any comment or advice.

I don't understand the conflict. Have you and your family had limited impact from COVID? I would do anything to stop my children having it (again for one of them). My own DD plus most of my students will be having it as soon as possible.

Maybe my opinion is skewed as I'm 1. A scientist and 2. A teacher. We have seen parents die from students taking it home (even after a single dose of vaccine), we have students off for a month as they are too ill to attend and we do now have students with long COVID. We are talking about prolonged fatigue, significant decrease in concentration and therefore impact on cognitive ability, and also alopecia. We also have students who can't be vaccinated and their parents are feeling worse than this time last year. And then we have parents undergoing cancer treatment....

It is a complete no-brainer.

Working at a university- I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we end up with restrictions for unvaccinated students like in the states. Let her get vaccinated it’s important to keep her safe and make sure she isn’t facing future limitations.

I understand your hesitation. I had a conversation about exactly this issue with some doctor friends at the weekend. Opinion was basically split. Cardiologist friend said he would not encourage his young adult children to have the jab, and hopes very much that they won't get it. Oncologist wants her children to have it. GP not sure. I do not think this is straightforward at all, and don't really understand those who think it's clear cut.

We have personally been very lucky not to have experienced COVID 1st hand. A few of my friends had it. One on oxygen. We are both vaccinated.

A few of dds friends had it mildly or without symptoms.
Anyway taking her to a walk in tomorrow.

It's not difficult at all, she wants it the decision is made. She's 17 ffs.

@KeepYourCustardCreams

I understand your hesitation. I had a conversation about exactly this issue with some doctor friends at the weekend. Opinion was basically split. Cardiologist friend said he would not encourage his young adult children to have the jab, and hopes very much that they won't get it. Oncologist wants her children to have it. GP not sure. I do not think this is straightforward at all, and don't really understand those who think it's clear cut.

I find this hard to believe tbh.

I don't know a single clinician who is against the 16-18 age group having the vaccine.

DD had hers 2 days ago. Has been a little under the weather (though nowhere near as rough as I was) so took it easy and is fine today. She’s happy she had it-as are we.

Absolutely it’s a no brainier. Those who say that kids are at very low risk don’t seem to take into account the fact that it can still take them many weeks to get over the infection (and that’s without the added risk of long Covid). Their lives and education have been disrupted enough already. I was delighted for my son to get his.

Interesting that a boy I know with an actual heart condition was phoned up by his own cardiologist the day it was announced 16 year olds to be jabbed and checked that he was aware and would go asap...

And DH's cardiologist thinks that everyone should be jabbed jabbed jabbed. I quote.

@KeepYourCustardCreams

I understand your hesitation. I had a conversation about exactly this issue with some doctor friends at the weekend. Opinion was basically split. Cardiologist friend said he would not encourage his young adult children to have the jab, and hopes very much that they won't get it. Oncologist wants her children to have it. GP not sure. I do not think this is straightforward at all, and don't really understand those who think it's clear cut.

This strikes me as covert anti vaxx propaganda. All my dr colleagues are getting it for their kids if they can.

@KeepYourCustardCreams

I understand your hesitation. I had a conversation about exactly this issue with some doctor friends at the weekend. Opinion was basically split. Cardiologist friend said he would not encourage his young adult children to have the jab, and hopes very much that they won't get it. Oncologist wants her children to have it. GP not sure. I do not think this is straightforward at all, and don't really understand those who think it's clear cut.

Really?? That's almost unbelievable, given the effects of covid and long covid now hitting the younger age groups hard - and the university, college and autumn seasons fast approaching.

Surely it's her choice at 17?

@Backofbeyond50

It is hard not to give something as vile as that headspace. It nearly destroyed my relationship with said relative which is sad as she is the last of the generation above in the family. Obviously I very vociferously pointed out how wrong she was.

Is it? Really?

If you vociferously pointed out how wrong she was, why are you worried about your daughter making the choice to have the vaccine?

I'm highly pro vaccine, I was a a volunteer giving them for months from January. I never had any doubt that I would get mine ASAP.

I was still nervous, I was nervous when DH had his-on the first day they were available in the uk and I'll be nervous when my children are eligible for it.

It's natural to be nervous about new things. You Dd is making a good decision.

My 16 year old had 10 days ago and pleased to have had it done and good for the friends who can’t have it done too. Glad to hear your daughter understands the benefits. Ignore family members, who asked them for their opinion anyhow. Empty vessels do often make most noise after all.

To be fair, the oncologist was adamant that it should be given to all.

Sorry, the above response should also have tagged @SpindleWhorl and @pianolessons1