15 yr old doesn't want the vaccine.

[legohurts16]

My 15 yr old DD does not want the covid vaccine. She doesn't think the benefits outweigh the risks. She is very mature and has read up on the subject and is adamant that at the moment she doesn't want it.

Her reasons are that it was - a rushed vaccine with little testing- the illness is so mild in children and teens that she doesn't think it is necessary. Me and my DH really want her to have it but I suppose ultimately it is her decision. Her 13 yr old brother and all her cousins have been vaccinated and in her friendship group it is literally half and half.

She says at the moment she isn't planning on going to Spain or the US so it isn't necessary. My hubby is adamant she has to have it and has booked her an appointment for Monday and will take her kicking and screaming if he has too. Funnily enough at the start of the pandemic he was the one who said there would be no way he would vaccinate our children against a mild illness but now omricon is here he is worried for her.

Should she be forced if we feel it is right or should she be free to make her own choice?

She's Gillick competent to decline vaccination from what you have said. Just keep communication open and I think don't push this. She cannot be forced, practically, morally or legally. Perhaps talk to her in more general terms over time about the values that lead people to choose vaccination even if they feel their own risk is low - we live in societies and have a responsibility to each other, not only to ourselves as individuals. What does she think about other things we do to benefit others for no reward or fear of sanction like recycling, checking on neighbours, sharing with food banks etc. I hope your DH calms down.

Such a shame that you seen to be proud of her anti vaxx views.

A shame that a parent respects their teen daughter's views?

It's mild in the majority of people, especially children and teens. So she's quite right, it is less risky to have it than risk long term effects of vaccine. Her body her choice.
If he drags her in kicking and screaming, I hope he is arrested. Not acceptable attitude or threat. Is he generally like this/ does she feel safe with him?

I’d be ashamed of my child if they did this

Glad you're not my mum!

@gertie445

My teenager got her second jab last week, they asked her three times if it was her choice, plus a bunch of questions about why she wanted it, what she understood it was for etc. I doubt he will be able to force her. she just has to say no.

Same, they asked if it was their own choice

@AppleButterfly it is complete rubbish like that which makes me despair. Where on earth did you get that idea from?

Thing is - you are clearly not competent/well informed enough to make a decision yourself - let alone advise a child.

So you have the issue of a child not being competent enough to make a decision based on ‘knowledge’ such as @applebutterly’s - and a parent who is not competent to make a decision / because they’ve been reading and believing rubbish on social media!

I agree with others- your OH has no right to force her, staff will not vacccinate without her consent.
It's a non argument.

@Beadebaser

What part of that post is complete rubbish?

“It's mild in the majority of people, especially children and teens”- is undeniably true, particularly wrt omicron.

“it is less risky to have it than risk long term effects of vaccine”- again true, the JCVI have not recommended vaccination for children. The government have implemented it to reduce general transmission.

It's mild in the majority of people, especially children and teens. So she's quite right, it is less risky to have it than risk long term effects of vaccine. Her body her choice.

@Beadebaser what part of that is complete rubbish?

"The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has not recommended that all young people aged 12-15 are given the covid-19 vaccination, and it has instead asked ministers to seek further advice from the UK’s chief medical officers on the wider potential benefits of vaccination"

As others have said, from a pure cost benefit for teens the vaccine is not necessary.

It's mainly to benefit society as a whole.

Whatever her reasons are, if she doesn't consent they won't do it. Nothing more needs to be said.

Leave her alone you have no right to let her be bullied into having the vaccine. If she gets covid she will only be poorly for a few days anyway being so young and healthy.

@Sarahschild Glad you're not my mum!
@Blubells Glad you're not my mum!

While this is obviously charming, I’m pretty sure I’m not.
Heckling someone because they believe in supporting children to care for the vulnerable in their communities isn’t at all admirable. I hope you and yours don’t regret your attitudes and not too many people are hurt by them.

Can I just reiterate that if you or your children choose not to vaccinate could you make positive efforts to avoid mixing particularly with the vulnerable? All the hands, face, space, ventilation and avoiding crowds is doubly important if you are not vaccinated.

My DD bf 17 had this view. She showed him the personal benefits in terms of travel etc and he's changed his mind.

@5zeds

No- DC need to mix. It’s a key part of their social development.

First off, staff won’t vaccinate her if she says she doesn’t want it - she can’t be forced. Secondly, if her father is showing signs of forcing her, then staff may raise this as a safeguarding issue. Unfortunately I’ve seen this happen in my local vaccine centre rather recently.

@PinkTree7 are you mixing unvaccinated without any change in behaviour to reduce transmission?

[quote 5zeds]**@Sarahschild* Glad you're not my mum!*
@Blubells Glad you're not my mum!

While this is obviously charming, I’m pretty sure I’m not.
Heckling someone because they believe in supporting children to care for the vulnerable in their communities isn’t at all admirable. I hope you and yours don’t regret your attitudes and not too many people are hurt by them.

Can I just reiterate that if you or your children choose not to vaccinate could you make positive efforts to avoid mixing particularly with the vulnerable? All the hands, face, space, ventilation and avoiding crowds is doubly important if you are not vaccinated.[/quote]
Should my 8 year old avoid mixing then as vaccines are not available to his age group?

5zeds - why? Not goading. But there seems little impact on infection or tranmission after ten weeks. We simply cannot vaccinate young people every ten weeks

Most young people I know have now had it naturally which likely confers much longer lasting immunity. I’m a case in point and I’m not even young, having just escaped infection from my children after I had it last year .

I’m probably a far less risk to you than the double vacced after ten weeks

I think we need some sensible discussions going forward about the role vaccs can play

One of my dc declined the vaccine. Also 15

It’s up to the individual what they do and although we chose to be vaccinated I fully support my dc in their decision not to be but I explained if they change their mind at any point just let us know, if not then no problem

I think there’s fairly compelling evidence that masks, social distancing, wfh, and at the extremes lockdown DO reduce transmission.

Why do you think we work from home before Christmas?
Why do you think masks and ventilation are suddenly here again?

Short of living in the middle of nowhere you aren’t going to stop this spreading, BUT if you have chosen to make yourself an easy conduit for infection by not vaccinating OR can’t be vaccinated then you can mitigate that by being more diligent in other ways. To me that would be the responsible approach.

The vaccine is making little of any difference though to transmission especially omicron so telling all unvaccinated that they should stay away is pretty pointless unless you tell that to the vaccinated as well. A CEV child next to a vaccinated child still has a risk of catching it

@5zeds

I think there’s fairly compelling evidence that masks, social distancing, wfh, and at the extremes lockdown DO reduce transmission. Why do you think we work from home before Christmas? Why do you think masks and ventilation are suddenly here again?

Short of living in the middle of nowhere you aren’t going to stop this spreading, BUT if you have chosen to make yourself an easy conduit for infection by not vaccinating OR can’t be vaccinated then you can mitigate that by being more diligent in other ways. To me that would be the responsible approach.

So I'm supposed to never take my 8 year old anywhere crowded for the next 4 years until he's 12 and can be vaccinated?

Fuck. That.

@InFiveMins

Her body, her choice.

Simple

Exactly