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Original poster

To let my child have the vaccine?

82 replies

Vaxwonder · 11/10/2021 18:01

Posting on AIBU for traffic sorry!

My DDs school have their COVID vaccinations on Friday. I was ok with her having it but now I am having some doubts.

I am double jabbed and I am happy to have had it although I was quite poorly afterwards. My DD is fit and healthy so even if she caught covid she would probably be fine whereas other illnesses like cervical cancer can be a lot more deadly which is why I allowed her to have that vaccination and I’m not sure about this one.

I’d love to hear your opinions on whether you would allow a 12-15year old to have it or not and your reasons.

YABU - you wouldn’t allow your child to have it.
YANBU - you would allow your child to have it.

OP posts:
SummerHouse · 11/10/2021 19:13

My 11 yr old is getting it on his 12th birthday.

Remmy123 · 11/10/2021 19:16

I'm still totally my undecided so he will not be having it at present.

Original poster
Vaxwonder · 11/10/2021 19:17

What does your child want?

She’s not a fan of needles so wouldn’t want it but vaccinations have always been something I’ve made compulsory and just a part of life so she will get on with it without fuss if I say she’s getting it.

And yes I didn’t think about the impacts of long covid either.
I initially was certain that age was getting it like I was with mine and had it as soon as I could but when it’s your child you do questing things a bit more don’t you.

OP posts:
Morgan12 · 11/10/2021 19:17

It's just infuriating that kids need to have this vaccine whilst there's adults not getting it for ridiculous reasons.

The pandemic ending shouldn't be on the shoulders of our kids. The adults able to get the vaccine should be the ones getting it.

My eldest is 9. I'm dreading the time when I need to make this decision.

Why should my kids get it so some dickhead can harp on about 'control and tracking'? On FB none the less. How ironic.

Vallmo47 · 11/10/2021 19:19

My 13 year old son had the vaccine. Two days later his younger sister had symptoms of coronavirus, she tested positive and a few days later so did both parents. My son is the only one who didn’t catch it. I’m so thankful he and I discussed the choice and went ahead with it.

Seriously79 · 11/10/2021 20:10

@underneaththeash - has this been verified? I find it hard to believe that 'uk kids' won't be allowed to travel to America as they haven't had 2 jabs, when they are only being offered the one.

Original poster
Vaxwonder · 11/10/2021 20:11

Yes it’s very frustrating that adults are choosing not to have it and I think that’s part of my hesitation, I thought it would be a while before the children are offered it as they’d have to wait for most adults to have it first.

As yes at work those of us who’ve had the jab either haven’t had covid or been mildly affected whereas those who’ve not yet had both jabs have been quite poorly with it. So actually that does make me think I don’t want to regret not getting it done.

OP posts:
CarrieBlue · 11/10/2021 20:12

My DCs will have theirs, just wish the vaccination teams would hurry up.

kowari · 11/10/2021 20:14

Mine won't be having it, we've both had covid and I've just had my third positive antibody test. I don't think it's worth the risk as it's not a choice between the jab and covid if he's already had covid.

DoubleTweenQueen · 11/10/2021 20:24

@Vaxwonder

What does your child want?

She’s not a fan of needles so wouldn’t want it but vaccinations have always been something I’ve made compulsory and just a part of life so she will get on with it without fuss if I say she’s getting it.

And yes I didn’t think about the impacts of long covid either.
I initially was certain that age was getting it like I was with mine and had it as soon as I could but when it’s your child you do questing things a bit more don’t you.

Just wanted to say that the Pfizer jab is a very fine needle and is barely felt. My DD has to have regular bloods taken so she is very emotional about needles, and she was surprised she hardly felt it when immunised - if that's of any use.
Dartsplayer · 11/10/2021 20:26

DS(14) is asthmatic and had Covid in July. He has had a cough ever since and a chest infection. He had his Covid jab last week. I don't want him to get it again and he was happy to have it

DoubleTweenQueen · 11/10/2021 20:30

@footballfootball

DS(14) is asthmatic and had Covid in July. He has had a cough ever since and a chest infection. He had his Covid jab last week. I don't want him to get it again and he was happy to have it
Hope he makes a full recovery soon Flowers
MarshaBradyo · 11/10/2021 20:36

I would decide based on what’s best for your child rather than others

I know that’s hard as the information is complex

We’ve had it for 16 year old no and glad we did but for 11 to be 12 probably will

Meredusoleil · 11/10/2021 20:40

My dd1 had her's last week. She has just turned 13. So glad she did. Sore arm for the first day or two and that was it! She was told she would be offered the second dose at some point in the future. I think I read online it will be in the spring time.

Really wish my dd2 could have it too, but she's not even 10 yet, so won't be happening.

Both will get the flu spray at school too. But not until December/November which I feel is quite late. But its the same vaccination teams doing them, so understandably they are prioritising the covid jabs at secondary schools first.

lateforschool · 11/10/2021 20:45

@NeedAHoliday2021

Dd is having it - otherwise she is unlikely to be able to travel to see family in USA and Canada (where most over 12s are already vaccinated).
I felt that travelling to a country that requires a vaccine for over 12s is a reason NOT to have the vaccine in offer in the UK!

We have a home in Italy and family in America and Amd can’t go to either because my 12 and 14 year olds need to be fully vaccinated - and the uk government currently has no plans to double vaccinate the 12-15 year old group.

I genuinely considered letting them just go everywhere without a mask just to get Covid as at least thst way they would have six months of natural Immunity which both countries accept as equivalent to full vaccination.

In the end I told the kids to have it as it means that they protect their vulnerable grandparents.

I don’t understand why we have a half seeded approach to vaccination. No one else anywhere else is doing this and there is nothing in the UKs approach to this pandemic that makes me think that we have better information that makes us right and everyone else wrong

gamerchick · 11/10/2021 20:46

Aye if she can. Don't take it for granted that she actually will get it at school.

How would you feel if you have consent and she came home saying she couldn't get it because they ran out of time and there's no other way of her getting it yet?

Then you'll have your answer. Rather than doing the handwringing.

lateforschool · 11/10/2021 20:47

[quote Seriously79]@underneaththeash - has this been verified? I find it hard to believe that 'uk kids' won't be allowed to travel to America as they haven't had 2 jabs, when they are only being offered the one.[/quote]
Yes this is true - kids can travel but only if they quarantine on arrival. And I’d you’re going to places like Ny that require vaccine passports you won’t be allowed in loads of restaurants or museums either

Geamhradh · 11/10/2021 20:49

@lateforschool
Anybody not fully vaccinated can just do tests for Italy. Before entry, and every 48 hours after that.

lateforschool · 11/10/2021 20:57

[quote Geamhradh]@lateforschool
Anybody not fully vaccinated can just do tests for Italy. Before entry, and every 48 hours after that.[/quote]
You got my hopes up - but it’s not true!
Unvaccinated people including overs 12s have to take a test before arrival and the travel by orivste transport to their accommodation, register with the local authority and then quarantine for five days
Once you ste out of quarantine you need to take a test every 48 hours to get a pass to allow you to use any public transport or any public spaces including hard restaurants and museums

Geamhradh · 11/10/2021 21:02

Oh sorry! I misread, I thought your kids were under 12! (I'm in Italy) Apologies!

lateforschool · 11/10/2021 21:05

@Geamhradh

Oh sorry! I misread, I thought your kids were under 12! (I'm in Italy) Apologies!
It’s very frustrating!!!!!
Ilovechinese · 11/10/2021 21:08

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Geamhradh · 11/10/2021 21:14

No they didn't.
They said the benefits outweighed the risks but on purely medical grounds they wouldn't recommend the vaccine for kids. Then they passed their findings info the GMC who are all medics unlike the JCVI who decided to not act on the recommendation of the JCVI (given that they are not themselves medical experts and some of them have been revealed to have links with anti vax alt right groups, hardly surprising)

Sadless · 11/10/2021 21:15

I got the consent letter today from school. my 13 years old son has told me he doesn't want it. So even if I was to sign it he said he would refuse.

I told him he will probably have to have it eventually but for now he's not having it.

Sal

P1P2 · 11/10/2021 21:17

The JVCI did NOT say that, they said the opposite. OP, what is making you uncertain.