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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:
Name12341 · 26/08/2021 09:49

I wouldn't get it for DC yet (eldest is 9)
They had very mild symptoms with covid, have had far worse colds, and me and DH had much worse symptoms after the second vaccine than with covid. I think it was worth getting for us if there's a chance of it reducing transmission to others a bit, but wouldn't feel comfortable making the children go through feeling that unwell or the albeit very small risk of more side effects coming out down the line like the heart/blood clot risks that have already been discovered during roll out.
If covid mutates to become more dangerous to children, or they create a vaccine that completely prevents transmission to others then I would consider it for them.

EarringsandLipstick · 26/08/2021 09:52

Name I take your points, just to say tho that eg the the myocarditis reaction noted in male teens who had the vaccine is rare, and temporary & in the vast number of cases required no treatment.

I'm not saying that should make you choose differently but I think there's a lot of talk about 'side effects' without context being given.

Madcats · 26/08/2021 10:11

The Torygraph is running articles saying that parental consent will not be required, which seems a little unlikely since our school nurse can't administer so much as a paracetamol without parental consent.

They are starting lateral flows for "return to school" at DD's school next week and we've had to consent to those (as we did for all the jabs last year for Virgin Care's school vax team).

bumbleymummy yes our summer holiday hasn't been as busy as we would have liked, but we are all quite relieved that we've had Covid and came through it without incident. Returning to school and jumping on trains feels a little less like Russian Roulette.

Toesies · 26/08/2021 10:12

@bumbleymummy

And as for ‘playing their part’, children have more than played their part over the last 18 months with all the sacrifices they’ve had to make. It’s a massive chunk of their lives that they’ve been living with restrictions etc.

If you feel the need to roll out this tired argument, you're not doing that well.

BTW, everyone has played their part, more or less. It hasn't been a fun ride for anyone.

bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 10:19

@EarringsandLipstick there is a difference between ‘reduce’ and ‘stop’. It’s become clear that the vaccines do not stop transmission. There are plenty of studies that have been published recently about this if you want to have a quick search.

bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 10:20

@Toesies I’m doing fine, thanks. I know plenty of young people that are struggling though. Definitely not a ‘tired’ argument for them.

EarringsandLipstick · 26/08/2021 10:25

[quote bumbleymummy]@EarringsandLipstick there is a difference between ‘reduce’ and ‘stop’. It’s become clear that the vaccines do not stop transmission. There are plenty of studies that have been published recently about this if you want to have a quick search.[/quote]
I think you need to do the quick search!

No vaccine is 100% effective.

The Covid vaccine does stop transmission just not fully. The same as any vaccine.

It's a silly argument to say 'oh it doesn't stop transmission, that's why DC won't have it'. It does stop transmission, insofar as any vaccine can (some do so very effectively, others like the flu vaccine, less so) so you are being inaccurate.

EarringsandLipstick · 26/08/2021 10:26

plenty of young people that are struggling though.

plenty of young people that are struggling though.

Fixed that for you Bumbly. It's not a competition.

leafyygreens · 26/08/2021 10:30

[quote bumbleymummy]@EarringsandLipstick there is a difference between ‘reduce’ and ‘stop’. It’s become clear that the vaccines do not stop transmission. There are plenty of studies that have been published recently about this if you want to have a quick search.[/quote]
I have never understood people who attempt to push this as an argument against vaccination?

This idea of "the vaccine needs to prevent 100% transmission or it's rubbish and not worth using" is mind boggling and demonstrates a poor understanding of public health and exponential transmission.

A group of vaccinated people will transmit coronavirus significantly less than a group of unvaccinated people. It's ridiculous to try and argue this doesn't have substantial population level benefits.

Justgettingbye · 26/08/2021 10:50

I agree leafy greens I'm not double jabbed and if my kids were of age they would be having it. It can only be a positive thing IMO

Justgettingbye · 26/08/2021 10:50

I'm now*

bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 10:51

@EarringsandLipstick

No vaccine is 100% effective

I know. I haven’t stated otherwise. Again, there is difference between reduce and stop. In the context of what I was replying to, the vaccine is not going to stop transmission. I read plenty, thanks. Do you need me to point you in the directions of the studies I was referring to? They’ve been discussed quite extensively over the last few weeks so they’re not hard to find.

No, it’s not a competition. We were discussing the impact on children. Not sure why you feel the need to bring adults into it. Unless you think it’s a competition?

bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 10:52

I have never understood people who attempt to push this as an argument against vaccination?

I’m not. Read my full original post in context.

Bbq1 · 26/08/2021 11:14

My ds turns 16 next week and he will be having it asap. He's very keen as he wants to protect himself and his family and friends.

TheChip · 26/08/2021 11:16

No. My kids do not want it and I respect their decision. I just hope others do too, and don't pressure or try to coerce them.

FrostyGirl66 · 26/08/2021 11:31

Absolutely not

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 26/08/2021 11:33

If I had the option, yes she would.

redferrari · 26/08/2021 11:37

I have heard of many kids in India and US suffering from covid so yes my child will be having it when they are 12 if offered. We are all fully vaccinated at the moment. My 13 year old niece is had hers in Singapore and many friends kids have had in Middle East. It's not a magic cure but it reduces the severity if infected and also prevents catching to some extent.

TooBigForMyBoots · 26/08/2021 11:44

The Torygraph is running articles saying that parental consent will not be required, which seems a little unlikely since our school nurse can't administer so much as a paracetamol without parental consent.

The Torygraph is right. Most 12-15yos are Gillick Competent and as such can make the decision for themselves, regardless of what the parent thinks.

Toesies · 26/08/2021 12:12

No, it’s not a competition. We were discussing the impact on children. Not sure why you feel the need to bring adults into it. Unless you think it’s a competition?

@bumbleymummy

This was your post in question:

And as for ‘playing their part’, children have more than played their part over the last 18 months with all the sacrifices they’ve had to make. It’s a massive chunk of their lives that they’ve been living with restrictions etc.

This seems to imply that you think it is a competition with children playing "more than their part". That's odious.

bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 12:43

Nope. Don’t think it’s a competition. Just think that they have most certainly already ‘played their part’ without having to have a vaccine (as the poster I was replying to mentioned).

I do think young people were probably one of the most hard-hit groups though when it came to all the restrictions and what they missed out on. As I said already, it’s a massive chunk of their lives that many of them have had lockdowns for and for many it coincided with what would normally be quite significant points in their lives - finishing primary school/starting secondary school/doing GCSEs/A-levels, starting university, graduating etc.

‘Odious’? Hmm

Nomorefuckstogive · 26/08/2021 12:47

@Cookerhood

Experimental? Do you know how many have had it worldwide & what a huge amount of safety data exists?
Thank you for your sanity and reason. Seriously, I despair of all those who think it’s better for their kids to get full blown Covid than a very well researched and trialled vaccine. I would love to understand their reasoning.
Nomorefuckstogive · 26/08/2021 12:50

@DumplingsAndStew

My 16 year old had theirs last night. 13 yo will get hers when she is eligible.

Neither of them do illness very well, so if it can minimise that - great. If it can minimise disruption to their education - great.

Again, so nice to read common sense and logic.
bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 12:50

Because ‘full blown COVID’ for children has been shown to be really mild for the vast majority based on well over a year of data? The vaccine does carry the risk of side effects which can be quite unpleasant and people may not want to take that risk for their children for something that may not be of that much benefit to them anyway (particularly when they may already be immune) .

bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 12:53

That actually seems pretty reasonable to me tbh.