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

Teenager doesn't want to have the vaccine

110 replies

poppy1973 · 27/08/2021 17:47

Hi, what would be your opinion if your teenager didn't want to have the covid vaccine ??

I have a really stubborn teenager who doesn't want to go and have the vaccine. Would you tell your child to have the vaccine if they didn't want it ?

OP posts:
Shitfuckcommaetc · 27/08/2021 17:48

No. Because its their body and their choice

ItsSunnyOutside · 27/08/2021 17:49

No.

kowari · 27/08/2021 17:50

No. Do you think it should be the parents' choice instead?

dillyshaw · 27/08/2021 17:51

My 16 yo DD doesn't. It's her choice. I will not try and persuade her either way.

Original poster
poppy1973 · 27/08/2021 17:51

We are leaving it up to the teenager. Who doesn't want the vaccine. However, we are worried about the possibility of them becoming ill if they do catch covid. We have both had our second doses.

OP posts:
Roundearth · 27/08/2021 17:52

id want to know why as it would lead me to think they were possibly accessing inappropriate material online instead which I'd want to stop..but apart from that you can't really force them.

ditalini · 27/08/2021 17:52

No. I would speak to them about it and maybe ask questions about why they didn't want it, but ultimately it's their body, their choice. I certainly wouldn't put pressure on them.

Nerdygirl · 27/08/2021 17:52

I would respect their decision wmd not coerce them

ISpyCobraKai · 27/08/2021 17:53

I'd have had a conversation with mine to get to the bottom of why, but ultimately left it up to her and would have let it go after that and not brought it up again.

RobinPenguins · 27/08/2021 17:53

No, they get to choose what happens with their bodies.

Original poster
poppy1973 · 27/08/2021 17:55

They have been reading a lot of information online, which has changed their opinions.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 27/08/2021 17:55

No. It is their body and their choice.

toomuchlaundry · 27/08/2021 17:55

You can’t make them. However, they are dropping like flies in my area. Our teen had theirs without any input from us

Original poster
poppy1973 · 27/08/2021 17:56

Are there lots of teenagers not taking the vaccine then ? Mine thinks, that even if they get covid, then they won't become ill.

OP posts:
eeyore228 · 27/08/2021 17:56

Have a chat and see why. Ultimately it's down to them but if ensure they weren't doing it because if their friends.

Original poster
poppy1973 · 27/08/2021 17:57

No, some of their friends have had the vaccine.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 27/08/2021 17:58

Point them in the direction of actual reliable data then allow them to make their own decision.

Original poster
poppy1973 · 27/08/2021 17:59

Yes, but which is the best data to believe these days!!!

OP posts:
EgonSpengler2020 · 27/08/2021 18:03

@Roundearth

id want to know why as it would lead me to think they were possibly accessing inappropriate material online instead which I'd want to stop..but apart from that you can't really force them.
The balance between benefit and risk of the vaccine to the recipient in this age group is a very fine line, hence there has been much discussion on it. The information the child has been reading to inform their decision is just as likely to be evidence based research as "inappropriate material online".

The child should not be pressured by any one to have it.

Original poster
poppy1973 · 27/08/2021 18:09

Yes, we won't put any pressure on them and will try and get them off the internet researching it.

OP posts:
MinesAMassiveSalad · 27/08/2021 18:13

One of mine has had it the other has said that they will get it.
It's up to them and as they have no underlying conditions I was actually okay with them NOT having it. The statistics seem to be that they aren't at high risk.

Flowerlane · 27/08/2021 18:17

Respect your child’s choice. It’s their body.

Againstmachine · 27/08/2021 18:19

You can’t make them. However, they are dropping like flies in my area. Our teen had theirs without any input from us

No they aren't dropping like flys.

dappledsunshine · 27/08/2021 18:24

@poppy1973

Are there lots of teenagers not taking the vaccine then ? Mine thinks, that even if they get covid, then they won't become ill.
I have a 16 year old who thinks exactly the same, some of his friends have had the vaccine but he thinks he won't catch covid and if he does won't be badly effected.

While I understand his point of view and he's probably right I've tried explaining the risks including long covid but he's pretty certain at the moment. I won't be pressuring him but I do hope he may reconsider in the future

Petardos · 27/08/2021 18:25

No.