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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:
AllTheSingleLadiess · 26/08/2021 12:55

DS wanted the vaccine but he caught COVID this summer so it won't be the end of the world if he doesn't get one until next year. He is happy to wear masks etc so if that rule is reintroduced he will be happy to comply.

Enough4me · 26/08/2021 13:02

The JCVI need to prove the benefits to my DC outweigh the risks to them before I'll agree.

I haven't seen any posters here provide evidence that would sway me from following government advice from July 21:
"at this time the JCVI’s view is that the minimal health benefits of offering universal COVID-19 vaccination to children do not outweigh the potential risks".

reallyisthisallthereis · 26/08/2021 13:09

Yes for both of mine

Ontheblink · 26/08/2021 13:31

I was in two minds, but after reading about Lisa Shaw- definitely not.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 26/08/2021 13:36

My 13 year old wants is ASAP. My 11 year will probably have it at 12 if approved by then.

Angel2702 · 26/08/2021 13:45

Absolutely will encourage them to get it if they become eligible. Eldest is going into year 11, currently his friends with autumn birthdays will be able to get it shortly but as an August born he won’t be offered. He also has other neurological conditions than antedotaly are being made worse from catching covid.

Dauphinois · 26/08/2021 13:47

I have a 14 yo and a 12 yo and yes, I'll encourage them both to have it.

bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 14:00

@Enough4me

The JCVI need to prove the benefits to my DC outweigh the risks to them before I'll agree.

I haven't seen any posters here provide evidence that would sway me from following government advice from July 21:
"at this time the JCVI’s view is that the minimal health benefits of offering universal COVID-19 vaccination to children do not outweigh the potential risks".

I know. I do wonder why so many parents seem to have overlooked the ‘minimal health benefits’ and ‘potential risks’ and just want the vaccine regardless.
ACreakingGateNeverStops · 26/08/2021 14:58

@Enough4me

The JCVI need to prove the benefits to my DC outweigh the risks to them before I'll agree.

I haven't seen any posters here provide evidence that would sway me from following government advice from July 21:
"at this time the JCVI’s view is that the minimal health benefits of offering universal COVID-19 vaccination to children do not outweigh the potential risks".

I agree. Our oldest has been vaccinated as he wanted it and is an adult so old enough to decide himself. The younger 2 are much younger and I'm unconvinced of any benefit to them.
birdsong7 · 26/08/2021 15:19

@Enough4me

The JCVI need to prove the benefits to my DC outweigh the risks to them before I'll agree.

I haven't seen any posters here provide evidence that would sway me from following government advice from July 21:
"at this time the JCVI’s view is that the minimal health benefits of offering universal COVID-19 vaccination to children do not outweigh the potential risks".

I can't seem to understand why some parents are so desperate for their DC to have it if they're otherwise healthy. The thing for me is, they can always have it at a later date once there is further evidence of long term side effects, but they can't undo it when they do have it. It's like feeding a room full of people nuts, most will be okay but some could become seriously ill. I'm thankful my children are a lot younger and they absolutely will not be having it. I'm not willing for them to be an experimental guinea pig for a drug that will have no benefit to them but could pose a huge risk to their health now and later in life.
Elverybaby · 26/08/2021 15:28

Such a tragedy but Lisa Shaw got the AZ vaccine @ontheblink . Children won't be given AZ.

TinaYouFatLard · 26/08/2021 15:41

I am genuinely unsettled by the way in which the vaccine is being pushed to ever younger age groups. My children won’t be getting it.

As someone who spent four days in hospital with massive blood loss and needing three transfusions after AZ jab I think I can be forgiven for my reluctance to risk my children.

The fact is we were told AZ was safe for under 40’s - turns out that was not correct. They didn’t know about the myocarditis issue until the jab was being rolled out. Who knows what else is unknown about these jabs.

ADreadedSunnyDay · 26/08/2021 16:02

@Elverybaby
Yes but Pfizer also has potential serious side effects (heart inflammation) particularly in young men.
My issue is that the whole premise of most children / yp getting the jab is for the protection of other people, not themselves. There are interesting ethics here.

mamaduckbone · 26/08/2021 16:05

My 15yo has already said that he is will be having it if it becomes available to him when he turns 16. I see no reason to argue with that. Haven't really thought about it for my 12yo as I haven't read anything to suggest they will be offered it in the near future. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 26/08/2021 16:27

My 16 year old had it last week, she was determined to get it done.

BettySweaty · 26/08/2021 16:30

Ds1 had first jab today. His choice. He is 16
I would encourage ds2 to have it when /if it becomes available, he is 14. But it is his choice ultimately.

Children can be very much affected, and can also end up with long covid.

I am an nhs worker. I see what's going on each time I go to work. I talk to medics and medical directors, there is no question in my mind about this. I don't need social media or poorly reported news reports to inform my thinking.

WhathaveIdoneagain · 26/08/2021 16:37

Yes. DS wants it and it will be useful when visiting family abroad.
A lot of other countries are vaccinating the over-12s, so the expectation (the norm) for international travel will probably be to have a vaccination certificate.

Remmy123 · 26/08/2021 16:44

Why are people so keen / desperate / excited for their kids to have it when children do not suffer and now we know you can still pass covid on even when vaccinated?

Madcats · 26/08/2021 16:47

Consent update from the Department of Health and Social Care on Twitter:
"A COVID-19 vaccination programme for 12-15 year olds would seek parental or carer consent.

In the event JCVI recommends vaccinating this age group, parents or carers will be asked to give consent as with all current school vaccine programmes".

Sounds as if my 14 year old might be getting a jab this side of Christmas (and some of the over 50's non-vulnerable won't be getting their boosters...yet).

Wellbythebloodyhell · 26/08/2021 17:03

@Elverybaby

Such a tragedy but Lisa Shaw got the AZ vaccine *@ontheblink* . Children won't be given AZ.
AZ was advised safe for to have as she was 44 and the unthinkable happened, what's to say something like won't happen to a child by a vaccine which is also deemed safe to have?
gloriousoldsheets · 26/08/2021 17:09

I'm so sorry xx

leafyygreens · 26/08/2021 17:16

[quote ADreadedSunnyDay]@Elverybaby
Yes but Pfizer also has potential serious side effects (heart inflammation) particularly in young men.
My issue is that the whole premise of most children / yp getting the jab is for the protection of other people, not themselves. There are interesting ethics here.[/quote]
Children shouldn't be getting the vaccine for the protection of others no.

But that isn't why the CHMP and others recommend offering the vaccine to 12-15 year olds. Myocarditis from the jab is extremely rare, and in most cases self-limiting and resolves quickly with no treatment. The benefits of vaccination, for the child, are considered to far outweigh the rare chance of adverse effects.

TheChip · 26/08/2021 17:25

How, when children are at very low risk from covid as it is. Aren't their chances higher of having an adverse reaction from the vaccine, than they are from suffering badly from covid?

FatAnkles · 26/08/2021 17:32

No.

Mine is 15 next month. I worry about how tbe Pfizer jab could affect her menstruation cycle.

Young people can make legal decisions over their medical care from the age of 16. Even though my DD could be judged to be gillick competent I am not prepared to give up my parental responsibility until her 16th birthday.

I do believe in body autonomy so I have had two jabs, and my husband has had none. We each have our reasons. I want my DD to have body autonomy too, but only after her 16th birthday.

bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 17:38

The benefits of vaccination, for the child, are considered to far outweigh the rare chance of adverse effects.

The JCVI recently said that they do not.