Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

Arguments amongst friends over the vaccine

156 replies

janicewheeler · 30/12/2021 14:14

Is anyone else's friendship group starting to see a divide regarding the vaccine ?
I've noticed it between my close friend circle. Out of 10 of us only 4 are vaccinated. The other 6 are dead against it for their own beliefs. Which is fine. But it's really starting to bubble over recently I've noticed. I'm worrying that this is just the beginning for a massive divide in society. Being labelled a sheep and worse than the government for being vaccinated... or that anyone who has had Pfizer will be dead within 3 years.

It's got to the point I don't want to tell anyone I've got my booster booked in!!

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 30/12/2021 15:49

Thankfully all my close friends and family have been vaccinated so it's not a subject that's divisive here. There's one person at work who is anti-vax and a bit of a general conspiracy theory oddball but I don't have anything to do with him on a daily basis so that's something to be grateful for.

Littlecaf · 30/12/2021 15:50

I haven’t argued with anyone about it but I have distanced myself for my own MH reasons from two of my friends who are anti vax. I can agree to differ but their constant vitriol and “laughing” at those who’ve had the vaccine (“sheeples” “oh look boosters!” “Wake up you zombies etc” has shown a nasty side of them I don’t like.

95% of people I know have had the vaccine and most likely will continue to do so as long as needed.

Littlecaf · 30/12/2021 15:52

@BonnesVacances

Luckily I don't know anyone with these views, but I do think opinions around Covid and vaccinations have been as polarising as Brexit. I see the same level of misinformation and dismissal of verified facts, and absolute frustration on the part of those on the other side.
Oddly my two anti vax friends are both Brexiteers and “All lives matter” types. Hmmm
Puremule · 30/12/2021 15:56

I have friends who are vaxxed and friends who are not. They mix, they get on and everybody respects one another's decisions. Which is the way it should be. Nobody is judged for their stance and there are no "baaaaing sheep" or "anti vax fuckwits" who are ignoring science, just people with different views who can act like adults and respect one another. It's not that hard.

HereticFanjo · 30/12/2021 15:57

@Littlecaf

I haven’t argued with anyone about it but I have distanced myself for my own MH reasons from two of my friends who are anti vax. I can agree to differ but their constant vitriol and “laughing” at those who’ve had the vaccine (“sheeples” “oh look boosters!” “Wake up you zombies etc” has shown a nasty side of them I don’t like.

95% of people I know have had the vaccine and most likely will continue to do so as long as needed.

Yes one of my best friends - a nurse - recently blocked an old school friend who had gone full conspiracy nut. This lunatic had actually been hospitalised with Covid for 4 days and was still sending 'covid is a hoax' stuff at every opportunity. Nursing friend is one of the kindest human beings I know but even she reached 'ODFOD!' level and hit the block button for her own sanity. As you say people can agree to differ but it really brings out the vicious / crazy in some people.
WeatherwaxOn · 30/12/2021 16:00

Most people I know are vaccinated. Some have had Covid, we haven't (and are vaccinated - though I don't have my booster until next week). One person I know is unvaccinated, has CV relatives, although they live alone, but tests regularly. They currently have Covid.
I asked if they'd had trouble booking a vaccine and they said they didn't trust it. As it is someone I don't see more than once a year, it hasn't been an issue.

PinkLime · 30/12/2021 16:02

I think it is only a problem when people show extreme opinions - I have a family member who is very anti-vax/face mask and is vocal about it, they think everyone who ‘conforms’ are sheep etc. I also know very pro-vax people who are vocal about ‘selfish’ people who choose not to vaccinate and get angry if someone walks too close to them. They are equally tiresome when they start talking about it imo.

I do not ask my friends if they are vaccinated and none of my friends ask me. We are like minded people who respect each other’s decisions.

Excitedforthefuture · 30/12/2021 16:02

@Suzi888

Do you always discuss your medical history with friends? It’s so divisive, don’t discuss it- the end.
Oh come on

It’s being discussed on every news outlet, on every shop corner, even at the school gate.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 30/12/2021 16:03

Funnily enough, the only person I know who hasn't been vaccinated and is quite staunchly anti-Covid vaccine, is also the only person I know who was a staunch Brexiteer. Is there a correlation I wonder?

@Omicrone There's a strong correlation here as there is in the USA with hardcore Trump supporters also being anti vax. It's notable that it is the Tory Brexiters who are also the ones putting pressure on Boris not to implement any restrictions.

ladygindiva · 30/12/2021 16:04

Mixture of opinions in our wider family and friendship groups but thankfully no conflict, everyone is pretty respectful of each others thoughts and reasons.

ILoveSushi12345 · 30/12/2021 16:05

I'm in a group of 6, 3 of us are vaccinated 3 are not (I'm not). Everyone has their own unique circumstances and their own reasons for not having the jab. I respect anyone's wishes. This hasn't been raised in my group at all as yet, but if anyone I know tries to bully or coerce me into anything then they will be removed from my life instantly. A friendship should be a friendship not a political crusade.

Excitedforthefuture · 30/12/2021 16:06

@Puremule

I have friends who are vaxxed and friends who are not. They mix, they get on and everybody respects one another's decisions. Which is the way it should be. Nobody is judged for their stance and there are no "baaaaing sheep" or "anti vax fuckwits" who are ignoring science, just people with different views who can act like adults and respect one another. It's not that hard.
That’s all well and good

But it’s the views behind the decision not to vaccinate that are often so…. Unbelievable, that I don’t think just shrugging and smiling would work in long term.

So grateful every single one of my friends and family rejoiced at the news of the vaccination

May I ask for your friends reasonings for not having the vaccine?

TulipsGarden · 30/12/2021 16:07

My friends are all vaccinated, so this isn't an issue.

I know one person who isn't and posts Covid denial bollocks on Facebook (brother of a friend), but he was a twat anyway and it has confirmed my opinion of him.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 30/12/2021 16:07

@BonnesVacances

Luckily I don't know anyone with these views, but I do think opinions around Covid and vaccinations have been as polarising as Brexit. I see the same level of misinformation and dismissal of verified facts, and absolute frustration on the part of those on the other side.
I wonder if due to clever algorithms they have been targeted by a similar level of misinformation online due to the kinds of people they followed or liked during Brexit
Excitedforthefuture · 30/12/2021 16:09

I think the issue is that it opens up a rabbits Warren of other views that I would probably find unpalatable

nojudgementhere · 30/12/2021 16:12

Oddly my two anti vax friends are both Brexiteers and “All lives matter” types. Hmmm

This is one of the things I most dislike about threads like this. It's that lazy, lumping in together of unvaccinated people as though they are one big homogenous group who all think and behave in the same way. I don't know if this particular thread was created to give people an opportunity to bitch about and belittle anybody unvaccinated but unfortunately that's the kind of posts it is seeming to attract!

RachC2021 · 30/12/2021 16:16

@Omicrone

Funnily enough, the only person I know who hasn't been vaccinated and is quite staunchly anti-Covid vaccine, is also the only person I know who was a staunch Brexiteer. Is there a correlation I wonder?

It doesn't bother me too much, if either subject comes up from her I just smile and nod and change the subject. Some of my other friends get a bit heated about it, but it's just not worth it.

My immediate family including myself were pro-Brexit, though don’t broadcast it particularly. We’re all fully vaccinated, and got vaccinated at the first opportunity. All follow the mask rules and social distancing etc.

I do know someone who was very, very pro-Brexit, is racist, and has fallen down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole too. So I can see where you’re coming from.

itsgettingweird · 30/12/2021 16:17

I've not seen a divide.

But in my friendship group those who have decided against it just make their decision for themselves - quietly.

I've had a few make comments (one said about not wanting booster as pfeizer as her friend Donald said it's a live vaccine!). But I just reply equally as calmly and suggested that rather than listen to Donald she should do her own research and make her own decision.

She's now booked the booster!

ASDmam · 30/12/2021 16:18

Only with 1 person who was sending YouTube links to our group chat 😬

Nonnymum · 30/12/2021 16:23

Thankfully all my friends and family have been vaccinated. They are also sensible and have never objected to wearing masks or socially distancing if necessary.
I don't think I would be prepared to meet up with people who refuse to vaccinate. So I guess if I had friends who were not prepared to vaccinate the friendship would fizzle out.

vodkaginwine · 30/12/2021 16:23

I would distance myself from unvaccinated people if I’m honest, those that call me a sheep, a government experiment etc, why would you put that in your body, all while being hypocritical in their own lives with drinking, smoking, happy to access an overstretched nhs. I can’t be bothered with the arguments. My BIL and his family are refusing the vaccine, won’t do LFT’s, generally think the world owes them a favour and it’s a conspiracy to stop their many holidays. I refuse to see them. I have vulnerable children (one of which has been in PICU with pneumonia) and parents and they come first and no time for their woe is me.

I think you can do what you like as an individual, but I do at the same time think if you end up in hospital with Covid related illnesses you should be at the very back of the queue for any treatment which also should be paid for.

SpiceRat · 30/12/2021 16:25

The only thing is one of our friendship group flounced out of a group chat after it was decided a meal out before Xmas would be rearranged due to rising cases and having vulnerable family members to think of / not wanting to risk having to isolate over Xmas. He’s got his vaccine he’s just a selfish manchild who still lives at home at 37 and is single so has no responsibilities and can’t be mature enough to put himself in others shoes Hmmwe were literally meeting 4 days after Xmas anyway for friendsmas, so the flounce was cringe. Not brought up on friendsmas but he’s not been invited back to the chat so shouldn’t miss out future meetings as far as I’m concerned.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 30/12/2021 16:26

I haven't had arguments with friends but there have been interesting discussions in my workplace! We're not NHS but have to abide by the same rules. Some staff believe that front line staff that aren't vaccinated should be able to swap with those in central services that are vaccinated but don't need to be. Thankfully it seems to be a minority but hell no am I going back into front line!

BonnesVacances · 30/12/2021 16:29

I wonder if due to clever algorithms they have been targeted by a similar level of misinformation online due to the kinds of people they followed or liked during Brexit

Good point. I think it's all tapped into the same psyche at any rate.

crazycrochetlady · 30/12/2021 16:30

Nope. All vaccinated. A lot of medics and scientists among my friends, and a smattering of farmers and military.
The only person I know who isn't vaccinated is my cleaner. I haven't tried to persuade her even though she's very vocal on her views. I don't see the point.