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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:
HungryHippo11 · 27/08/2021 23:02

@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.
They're probably right 🤷‍♀️
Goldbar · 27/08/2021 23:03

Their body, their choice. You can't exactly take a teenager along and hold them down for the vaccine as you would a toddler for their routine immunisations.

Pendhxa · 27/08/2021 23:04

Their body, their choice. However you could consider paying for an antibody test to see whether he/she has any.

RedToothBrush · 27/08/2021 23:14

A teenager has to live with consequences of being vaccinated / unvaccinated.

That could include not being able to do stuff their friends can or having serious side effects.

I would hope they would be fully reconciled with whatever decision they want - and thats our job as parents - to get them to fully understand that rather than to actively tell them what to do.

There is no right or wrong answer. Just the best one for that person.

Anyone throwing out their kid for not doing what they are told, isnt parenting right in the first place...

FMSucks · 27/08/2021 23:23

DS13 is choosing not to get the vaccine (13 year olds can be vaccinated here). I have respected his well thought out and researched opinion on it. We have discussed it a few times.

Turns out he got Covid two weeks ago (from me his double jabbed DM). He had a bit of a cough and his smell and taste went a bit funny. Not a bother on him now. His brother also got it (11) not a bother on him either except for a slightly stuffy nose.

His DM and DF, both fully vaccinated were quite unwell but have both made a full recovery.

GeorgeAnneAndTimmytoo · 27/08/2021 23:25

My teen is a very devout Catholic and does not want to have it on what he sees as religious grounds.

We have tried to explain it is act of love and social responsibility but he is steadfast.

However we have said he needs to assume the consequences of his decisions and not us. So he will be paying for all PCR tests needed for travel in Future. Let’s see how it goes but I think if he is old enough to decide he is old enough to deal with the consequences too.

AlexaShutUp · 27/08/2021 23:30

@GeorgeAnneAndTimmytoo

My teen is a very devout Catholic and does not want to have it on what he sees as religious grounds.

We have tried to explain it is act of love and social responsibility but he is steadfast.

However we have said he needs to assume the consequences of his decisions and not us. So he will be paying for all PCR tests needed for travel in Future. Let’s see how it goes but I think if he is old enough to decide he is old enough to deal with the consequences too.

Hasn't the pope been encouraging Catholics to get vaccinated?Confused
Hellotoallmyfans · 27/08/2021 23:31

No, I absolutely wouldn't try to force my teen to have the jab. I've told ds17 that if he wants to come away with us in the new year he will have to have it (as per the current guidelines) so he's having it - but if he said he didn't want to and would rather not come away with us I'd respect that although I'd be a bit gutted to not have him with us.

LynetteScavo · 27/08/2021 23:46

My DS didn't want the vaccine. He caught Covid (as did many of his friends who had one vaccine) He felt very rough for a few days then bounced back. DD saw how rough he was and chose to have the vaccine.

I think they're old enough to decide for themselves. They probably will catch Covid at some point if they're not vaccinated, but they're unlikely to be hospitalised.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 27/08/2021 23:51

but they're unlikely to be hospitalised.

Teenagers are unlikely to be hospitalised with or without the vaccine

dizzydizzydizzy · 28/08/2021 07:03

I would be worried. You have to tread very carefully here to make your DC feel they changed their mind by themselves. You know your DC best. But yes ultimately it is their decision. Personally, it makes stream come out of my ears when people tell me they have done loads of research online about the vaccine and found information that the world's top scientists have missed.

cptartapp · 28/08/2021 07:04

kowari if they're 18 in September, October, November then from March -May with mocks and exams, having to take ten days out of college as an unvaccinated close contact whilst the majority of the class don't have to will be massively detrimental.
Of course they're legally adults and it's their decision, but having two older teens myself I know they are often more focused on 'making a point' than looking at the bigger picture.

Glaskins · 28/08/2021 07:27

[quote kowari]**@cptartapp
I thought they only had to isolate if not double jabbed and over 18 and a half? If the teen is in fact an adult then it most definitely has nothing to do with the parent.[/quote]
That's because most under 18s haven't had the opportunity to be double jabbed in England yet. It's likely to change once they have had the opportunity

KittyMcKitty · 28/08/2021 07:32

@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.
My 18 year olds double vax and 16 year old single vax- all their friends are vaccinated- they don’t know anyone who has refused (both of them have also had COVID - one as recently as July).
helentomelon · 28/08/2021 07:40

I can't think of many things I'd throw a 16 year old out of the house for... murdering f or abusing a child perhaps. But for not having a vaccine? Pah! That's the craziest thing I've heard.

Having a daughter, I'd be extremely reluctant to push the vaccine on her given how menstrual cycles are being affected and how little they can tell us about why this is.

If someone at home is CEV then you'd hope that will be a part of the weighing up process by said teenager. For teens with no CEV friends or relatives I can see why they'd balance the risks Vs reward and avoid the jab for another 12 months at least until we know a bit more

JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth · 28/08/2021 07:50

My 17 year old has refused. He says last time he had covid it wasn't too bad and he doesn't want an aching arm. I explained that his access to events and activities might get limited in the future if not jabbed. He said he'll think about it and maybe do it in the future

CrunchyCarrot · 28/08/2021 07:59

No. It's up to them to make up their own minds and come to a decision. I think it's wrong to try to force someone to one's own point of view over a medical intervention. It's far better for your own relationship with them, too, as it shows you respect their choice even if you don't agree with it.

Eviethyme · 28/08/2021 08:01

So many people don't understand or know how the vaccine works and it shows.

daisypond · 28/08/2021 08:05

I would strongly urge / persuade them to have them. And I did so with my reluctant teen. Both DH and I are clinically vulnerable, and their grandparents are in their late 80s. I made it clear that they could not come to see their grandparents- long, expensive train journey. I think it’s wrong to “respect their choice”, when I most definitely did not respect their choice.

bumbleymummy · 28/08/2021 08:08

@JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth

My 17 year old has refused. He says last time he had covid it wasn't too bad and he doesn't want an aching arm. I explained that his access to events and activities might get limited in the future if not jabbed. He said he'll think about it and maybe do it in the future
I think the U.K. needs to start including proof of previous infection as an option for proof of immunity like most of Europe has done with the ‘green pass’.
Alexand23 · 28/08/2021 08:15

It is up to them. I do think it is crazy how festivals are offering it though, knowing some teens at festivals are drunk/taking other drugs - is it good timing for them to have the vaccine? When if they become ill, they will be cooped up in a little tent?
How long does the vaccine even last? They won't give everyone a vaccine every year, same as the flu jab is only given to certain groups, so this time next year I imagine it will all be a moot point as they won't be offered it to teens again.

SusanBAnthony999 · 28/08/2021 08:15

I am usually pro vaccine. I base my views on the available evidence. For my demographic the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.

But I think the available evidence shows that for younger, healthy, teens the risk/ benefit balance is different and that the risks ( though very low) outweigh any benefits to the individual.

There is an argument that teens should get vaccinated to protect society as a whole and that they should therefore accept the very low risk. But older adults should be clear about what they are asking teens to do and recognise that it is a big ask.

YeOldeTrout · 28/08/2021 08:37

I am vehemently pro-choice.
I don't want to be lectured either way, is my bigger issue.

AbsolutelySure · 28/08/2021 09:53

My eldest won't have it which is due to her absolute fear of needles. She's 18. I hope she'll change her mind in time but she tears up at the thought of the injection.

RedToothBrush · 28/08/2021 10:03

I don't think being pro-vaccine and being pro-choice are mutually exclusive things if your logic for being pro-vaccine is based on evidence and informed choice.

On an individual level there are some groups who have either elevated risks from the vaccine or get no real benefit from it on a personal level.

Its crucial we are aware of that and respond accordingly.

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