Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

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

Original poster

Are you letting child have the vaccine?

484 replies

GiveMeAUserName123 · 25/08/2021 21:55

I was just wondering if you have a child/ren between the ages of 12-16, that don’t have any medical conditions, or live with family members that are more at risk, will you be letting them have the vaccine?

My eldest will be turning 12 in the winter and I imagine will be given the choice to have it. I don’t think I want her too (I’ve had mine) but obviously it’s her body and her choice which is something that is held in high regard at home, so won’t voice against it, but if she does choose to have it, is she too young to decide something like this, as I’m not sure a child could really understand the full risk/benefit side of things.

How are you feeling about it in general?

OP posts:
CoopsMalloops · 25/08/2021 23:29

Absolutely not in a million years.

SophieGiroux · 25/08/2021 23:31

@Watapalava

I don’t understand currently why people are desperate to vaccinate their kids?

The JVCI explicitly states that “vaccine risk does NOT outweigh benefits” for healthy kids

It may change

It’s hasnt yet

Why risk kids? - as parents I question anyone going against medical advice currently

Agreed!
spiderlight · 25/08/2021 23:32

Yes. My 14-year-old is very keen to have it. One of his best friends has cystic fibrosis and another has a heart problem, and two close family members are CEV, so he's adamant that he wants it and I agree. The quicker we get teens jabbed, the less disruption to their education.

DayKay · 25/08/2021 23:33

My kids have had covid and there’s more and more info coming out about natural immunity, so they won’t be having it.

Pinkchocolate · 25/08/2021 23:38

Absolutely not. DH and I have had both vaccines, but I don’t want my kids to. DD16 has been offered it but doesn’t feel comfortable having it, DS10 won’t be getting it even if it’s offered. I feel the benefits of it outweigh the risks for me and DH but not for our children.

Wakemeuuuup · 25/08/2021 23:45

Definitely, my 14 yr old really wants it. My 16 yr old already has

BluebirdHill · 25/08/2021 23:50

No one will be able to 'go against medical advice' though, will they? It simply won't be available until the JCVI give the go ahead.

I respect their medical judgement but if and when it's available for all 12-15s I will be keen for my DC to have it. We have CEV family members.

Fifipop185 · 25/08/2021 23:57

17yo DD has had her first jab, DS is 13 and unlikely to have it as he's needle phobic and ASD. When his turn comes we will discuss it and I will take his views into consideration.

LegArmpits · 25/08/2021 23:59

Absolutely not.

wonderstuff · 26/08/2021 00:02

Absolutely yes. They've thankfully not contracted covid yet, but I'm sure it'll spread like wildfire next term. I'm really concerned about long covid. I don't understand why the UK is not vaccinating teens when Europe and the US are, surely the risk benefit equation is the same, if not more in favour of vaccines as our infection rates are so high?

There's been so much disruption, a school in Scotland has closed already! I've a friend who worked on a covid ward and avoided it only to catch it from her son who brought it home from school!

RamonatheMisunderstood · 26/08/2021 00:36

I’m in the UK and my 14 year old has an appointment next week for her first vaccination. She does have an underlying health condition, as do I, so I trust her doctor’s view that it’s better for her to have the vaccination than not.

Toesies · 26/08/2021 00:40

@Watapalava

If jcvi change status I will act accordingly

As they have evidence

I don’t understand parents who are currently willing to go against medical advice

It goes against parental nature

When did people become so brainwashed to risk their kids when medical research says explicitly no

I understandager if advice changes but right now it’s baffling

Not all medical experts agree with the advice. In any case, countries in Europe and the US are now vaccinating children and teenagers. This is in part because of the risk profile associated with long COVID. As this has the potential to turn into life-long health issues for a child, I think vaccination now is a simple way to protect your child's ongoing physical and mental health (much like you would for a rubella vaccination). It isn't anything to with "brainwashing".

sleepwouldbenice · 26/08/2021 00:46

@Nikki360

My youngest is 11 and no I would absolutely not allow her to have it. Children thankfully are not as affected by Covid. The vaccine doesn't stop you getting or transmitting covid. The most vulnerable in society have already been vaccinated. It's a new vaccine no long term studies done.
Yes some are affected Doesn’t stop but greatly reduces both Most of the most vulnerable have been vaccinated but not all Countless arguments against it being new and covid ain’t old

Other than that list you’re correct

My personal opinion is not yet for my14 year old until advised to do so

But misinformation is ridiculous

elliejjtiny · 26/08/2021 01:03

My dc will be getting it as soon as it's offered. My 13 year-old attempted suicide in lockdown 3. I want to do anything I can to prevent the schools closing again.

spongedog · 26/08/2021 01:03

Mine is literally just 16 - not yet offered. but we have discussed. They were curious whether they would have the same vaccine as me (no due to age difference). My feeling - perhaps better to have than not.

SummerLightning · 26/08/2021 02:13

I live abroad and my 12 year old has had both doses (Pfizer), so has every other kid in his class according to him.

Sunnyfreezesushi · 26/08/2021 05:26

I am not too worried about vaccination in 12 plus because I have plenty of friends in France, Switzerland and the US who have vaccinated their younger teens. As we travel quite a bit for work and to see family, I don’t think we will have a choice as we cannot leave younger teens home alone. What is annoying though is that vaccination could be unnecessary, medically speaking, so next time we PCR the kids we will opt in to the antibody tests too - not that the antibody tests are perfect but I would quite like to see what they throw up.

I am hoping in the next 12 months that at least in Europe, those who have been vaccinated/previous Covid positive/positive antibody test will be treated more equally with mutual recognition in different countries.
The drive to Vaccinate most was important to protect the NHS but it isn’t the be all to actual Covid “immunity”/reduced reaction to a variant.

Happymum12345 · 26/08/2021 05:56

Absolutely yes!

Anon778833 · 26/08/2021 05:57

@Nikki360

My youngest is 11 and no I would absolutely not allow her to have it. Children thankfully are not as affected by Covid. The vaccine doesn't stop you getting or transmitting covid. The most vulnerable in society have already been vaccinated. It's a new vaccine no long term studies done.
There are no long term studies on any vaccine! So did you also not get the MMR?
travellinglighter · 26/08/2021 06:04

@stairway

I will leave it up to my 12 year old but I’d advice him not to have it. There was an article on the bbc website which kind of suggested getting natural immunity was better for this age group.
If the BBC “kind of” suggested he shouldn’t wear a seatbelt, would you leave it up to him?
travellinglighter · 26/08/2021 06:09

@Nikki360

My youngest is 11 and no I would absolutely not allow her to have it. Children thankfully are not as affected by Covid. The vaccine doesn't stop you getting or transmitting covid. The most vulnerable in society have already been vaccinated. It's a new vaccine no long term studies done.
The new Delta variant appears to affect children more. It doesn’t stop you getting it but it does reduce the chance of you getting it. I’d doesn’t stop you transmitting it but it reduces the chance of you transmitting it. It also reduces the chances of your child dying from covid if there’s a hidden underlying condition or you get a particularly severe case.
EarringsandLipstick · 26/08/2021 07:00

@Watapalava

Of course adults should be vaccinated - that’s no brainier. I’ve had both myself as medical science has proven risk vs benefit ratio

It hasn’t for kids

It has in most European countries bar they UK - do you think they are in possession of 'special' science.

It isn't actually about the science in terms of children.

The vaccine will protect you, whether you are an adult or a child. The decision really is how necessary it is, based on the fact that children don't tend to be badly impacted by Covid.

The advice is therefore based on an assessment of how worthwhile it is to do it. The UK so far is an outlier on this though that seems set to change.

EarringsandLipstick · 26/08/2021 07:01

@elliejjtiny

My dc will be getting it as soon as it's offered. My 13 year-old attempted suicide in lockdown 3. I want to do anything I can to prevent the schools closing again.
That's dreadful. I'm so sorry. I hope they are doing better now.
MRex · 26/08/2021 07:22

@stairway

I will leave it up to my 12 year old but I’d advice him not to have it. There was an article on the bbc website which kind of suggested getting natural immunity was better for this age group.
That's not what the BBC article said. It said that infection AFTER vaccination was a safer way to broader immunity than a constant booster programme.

My DS is too young; when there's an approved vaccine for his age he'll have it. As it stands he's unlikely to be too unwell, but his chance of exposure to covid this term is extremely high like everyone else, so I expect him to catch it anyway.

Watapalava · 26/08/2021 07:25

UK is not alone in its stance - germany and sweden are as yet not vaccinating healthy kids - and most other eu only rolled out to healthy kids in the last couple of weeks. UK is waiting on more data - rightly so- perhaps half the parents on here would have signed their kids up for the trial it seems