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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:
bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 19:51

@EarringsandLipstick what levels of antibodies do you have in Ireland?

TSSDNCOP · 26/08/2021 20:02

@TattyDevine I am with you. I am absolutely pro-vaccine, but I have to say I like the JCVI taking what appears a cautious approach on this next age group, unless CEV.

Assuming that it is caution, and not lack of vaccine.

As a family we would support DC having the vaccine, when the JCVI give the green light.

EarringsandLipstick · 26/08/2021 21:12

[quote bumbleymummy]@EarringsandLipstick what levels of antibodies do you have in Ireland?[/quote]
Are you talking about an equivalent to the ONS statistical modelling exercise carried out in the UK?

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19infectionsurveyantibodyandvaccinationdatafortheuk/21july2021

You understand that's what it is, modelling exercise to determine the likely antibody level across 18 - 69 yos, based on a random sample? Not that it actually measures 'antibody levels in the UK'?

Anyway there isn't a comparable modelling exercise in Ireland afaik. Not that that is relevant as the fully vaccinated rate stands at 85.5% of the adult population.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 26/08/2021 21:18

@CarrieBlue

If you don’t want your child to have a vaccine, fine, that’s your choice. It would be nice if those of us that would like their child to have it were given the option, without being made out to be stupid or cruel.
I honestly hope this is the case and those who want it have access too it can,and those who don't are able to decline, without being called stupid or cruel whichever decision they make
bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 21:30

Anyway there isn't a comparable modelling exercise in Ireland afaik.

Well perhaps it isn’t as high. That could be one of the reasons that a different decision was made.

SoOvethis · 26/08/2021 22:06

Definite no! My eldest who would then be eligible has just had covid for a second time and has been fine both times. He has had other colds/illnesses worse. Wouldn’t say this time was a walk in the park, but 5 days and it was over. Hoping he now has antibodies after this 2nd time.

Enough4me · 26/08/2021 22:23

In The Times, from the JCVI:
"There are also ethical concerns over asking children to take on the risks of vaccination for a benefit felt largely by adults".

Anon778833 · 26/08/2021 22:54

Oh I see bummbleymummy is on another thread trying to argue that vaccination isn't necessary.

bumbleymummy · 26/08/2021 23:04

@Itsnotover

Oh I see bummbleymummy is on another thread trying to argue that vaccination isn't necessary.
Nope. The vaccine was very much necessary and has reduced the risk of serious illness and death particularly in the most vulnerable groups.
EarringsandLipstick · 26/08/2021 23:58

@bumbleymummy

Anyway there isn't a comparable modelling exercise in Ireland afaik.

Well perhaps it isn’t as high. That could be one of the reasons that a different decision was made.

Oh God. With 85% of the adult population vaccinated, it's a moot point. Of course it's high - how do you think vaccines work?
Willyoujustbequiet · 27/08/2021 02:23

No I don't think I will, bit torn but on balance no.

I have ethical and health concerns with them having it.

Toesies · 27/08/2021 02:28

@Enough4me

In The Times, from the JCVI: "There are also ethical concerns over asking children to take on the risks of vaccination for a benefit felt largely by adults".

Can you post the direct quote from that article please? It's behind a paywall?

Toesies · 27/08/2021 02:32

@peboh

My child is still a toddler, but I absolutely will not be vaccinating her with this jab when the time comes they pass them out to children. The long terms effects of having the vaccine could potentially be way worse than the effects of having covid for her. It's a no brainer for me.

This just isn't how vaccines work. Covid itself could be far more side-effects though.

TooBigForMyBoots · 27/08/2021 03:27

How would you feel about parents who don’t decide to vaccinate their child?
I have no particular feelings about them.

Would you still let your child play with theirs?
My children are in class with them 6 hours a day it doesn't bother me if they play with them too.Smile

season2 · 27/08/2021 03:54

Absolutely x 2. I do not want my children affected by Covid or Long Covid. There is plenty of data on that.

season2 · 27/08/2021 03:55

By the way it's just been approved for all children 12-15 in Australia by the TGA. My eldest is booked and I'm awaiting my youngest to be old enough.

season2 · 27/08/2021 03:56

@Wellbythebloodyhell

My gut instinct tells me no, but if we follow the same path some of our EU and US counterparts have gone down and put in restrictions in domestic settings for the over 12s for the unvaccinated then I will probably feel forced/coerced into them having it which at the moment makes me feel really sad and angry at the thought. Yes I realise this is also hypothetical and at the moment unlikely, but currently this is the only reason I'd be giving my dc the vaccine. As more long term data emerges I may change my stance. In terms of my dc POV 1 has said definitely no, 1 has said he's not bothered either way, obviously ultimately I will let them make the final decision if indeed it does become a real life decision to make.
I's rather follow health advice over gut instinct.
Wellbythebloodyhell · 27/08/2021 04:44

I's rather follow health advice over gut instinct.

So that would be a no then, as current health advice is not to vaccinate healthy 12-15 yr olds

Ibizan · 27/08/2021 05:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YesIDoLoveCrisps · 27/08/2021 05:47

Does this means that although they won’t ask for parents consent they will ask for the child’s consent? If the child refuses will they be allowed to pressure them in any way?

changeyourname11111 · 27/08/2021 06:01

@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".

Mine won’t be getting it for this reason as well. Plus there is corruption involved.

Several members of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said the mainstream sentiment on the body is still extremely cautious about expanding the programme to 12- to 15-year-olds, even though a deputy chief medical officer has suggested that outcome is high probable and politicians have said they would like the issue to remain under review.
The JCVI recommended on Wednesday that all over-16s be offered jabs, just two weeks after saying children should not routinely be given Covid vaccinations. The U-turn provoked alarm at what was described as a “shambolic” vaccine rollout for older teenagers, with doctors saying they were being “left in the dark” about the details of the rollout to younger people.
The JCVI has moved to “refresh” the membership of its Covid subcommittee in recent weeks, with one prominent critic of Covid jabs for children, Prof Robert Dingwall, leaving the body.

From this recent article:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2021/aug/07/jcvi-largely-opposed-to-covid-vaccination-for-children-under-16

MRex · 27/08/2021 06:29

Prof Robert Dingwall is a sociologist, a very good one actually, but he was never there for his scientific skills. He was not against vaccines for children in principle, but stated he felt they needed to be exceptionally safe due to the lower risks to children of the virus. Not an unreasonable opinion by any means, but it's the scientists in the group who then need to verify the balance between the actual risks.

bumbleymummy · 27/08/2021 08:11

@EarringsandLipstick I didn’t say it wasn’t high. I asked if you knew what it was in Ireland. Here are the models for each age in the U.K.

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19latestinsights/vaccines

greenweepingwillow · 27/08/2021 08:14

I very much dont want my dc to have it (13, 15 and 17) but I respect they will make their own deicsions (well the 15 and 17 yr old will, actually not sure the 13 yr old has the level of maturity needed to competently consent to this)
They have all had covid, one of them twice, and for then it has been very , very mild. The evidence from studies that I have read so far on the vaccine reducing transmission is not very convincing. The evidence from the studies of side effects to the vaccine in this age group are from really really small sample sizes statistically speaking and it makes it difficult to be certain of any of the findings.So having read all the evidence currently available I consider for them the risks of the vaccine outweigh the risks of covid.
I am not an anti vaxxer. They have had all their vaccinations. DH has been double jabbed, and I am an NHS clinician and was double jabbed right at the start of vaccinations. (sadly for me though I have had ongoing complications from the vaccine related to my heart, so this does obvioulsy also sway my decision although appreciate risks will be less for theor age group)
So if it was soley my decision then no, they wouldnt be getting vaccinated. But I suspect they will, not least due to peer pressure which seems a bad reason tbh but we will see.

bumbleymummy · 27/08/2021 08:20

I really wish that more information would be put out publicly about immunity after infection - particularly for children. They aren’t really making informed decisions if they don’t have all the information.