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?

Perhaps read or watch the advice from The World Health Organisation? They’re very clear that it ISN’T pointless and they advise vaccinated and unvaccinated to reduce transmission rates by all methods.

www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/media-resources/science-in-5/episode-63---omicron-variant

Its odd to me that they are strict on making sure its the childs own choice when getting the vaccine, yet when my dds gf asked if she could be vaccinated at school, they wouldnt do it as her mum didnt consent

If you're going to quote the WHO.

^More evidence is needed on the use of the different COVID-19 vaccines in children to be able to make general recommendations on vaccinating children against COVID-19.

WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) has concluded that the Pfizer/BionTech vaccine is suitable for use by people aged 12 years and above. Children aged between 12 and 15 who are at high risk may be offered this vaccine alongside other priority groups for vaccination. Vaccine trials for children are ongoing and WHO will update its recommendations when the evidence or epidemiological situation warrants a change in policy^
www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines/advice

There's plenty of other articles where WHO do not advocate vaccinated non-vulnerable children until all vulnerable people are vaccinated. The hoarding of vaccines by "the west" is abhorrent.

[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]
Unvaccinated children/adults still need to attend school and work🙄

We wear masks where we are supposed to and both regularly wash our hands. Apart from that we shall continue our lives as normal.

You should not force her against her will. However I would no longer consider her mature and for her to think she knows better than WHO is pure arragance. I would be asking her to show me her considered research on the topic.

The point is she won't be forced against her will.
Whatever her parents decide is totally irellevant.

@caringcarer

You should not force her against her will. However I would no longer consider her mature and for her to think she knows better than WHO is pure arragance. I would be asking her to show me her considered research on the topic.

You can do considered research and still decide not to have the vaccine.

You should not force her against her will. However I would no longer consider her mature and for her to think she knows better than WHO is pure arragance. I would be asking her to show me her considered research on the topic.

After doing 'considered research' a lot of young people may conclude that they prefer not to be vaccinated.

To be fair I've even seen a qualified nurse on here stating she didn't want the vaccine so not sure why a 15 year old is getting such a hard time

Childish, immature decision and I'd be ashamed if any child of mine was like that - but you cant force them. All the children in my extended family have been vaccinated at the first opportunity, fortunately for the one who got covid just before Christmas and didnt pass it to their family. They will be having their second vaccine as soon as they can too.

@PinkTree7

That’s not true at all! The JCVI said the risk of both is very low - but the risk of Covid is marginally worse than potential harm from vaccine in this age group.

And the JCVI have been criticised widely for their decision.

Ravi Gupta, a professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Cambridge and a co-opted member of the government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) said he shared some of the concerns raised about the JCVI. “Besides apparently ignoring the modelling, I’m worried about the lack of appreciation of the negative impacts of mass infection in children, such as long Covid and the risks of new variants emerging because of the low vaccine coverage in 12- to 15-year-olds.

This is the NHS guidance. The vaccine is safe and effective, and helps stop the spread of Covid 19. We to function as a community - adults and children together. So even if my DD’s risk is low, she needs healthy adults to support her.

She already wants the vaccine - she is bright, mature - and recognises already what is said in the guidance. If she was hesitant, then I’d read the NHS guidance with her - as it is the consensus of thought from all medical bodies:

The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are safe and effective. 2 doses are being offered to children aged 12 to 15 to give them the best protection against COVID-19.

Information:
There is information about vaccination for children at high risk on who can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Why children are being offered the COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 is usually mild in most children, but it can make some children unwell.

1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine gives good protection against your child getting seriously ill. But 2 doses gives stronger and longer-lasting protection.

Vaccinating children can also help stop the spread of COVID-19 to other people, including within schools.

My DD is an intensive care nurse. A few nurses in her unit have refused the jabs.

Why anyone would try and deter others from following the NHS guidance is completely beyond me.

@Beadebaser

This is the NHS guidance. The vaccine is safe and effective, and helps stop the spread of Covid 19. We to function as a community - adults and children together. So even if my DD’s risk is low, she needs healthy adults to support her.

She already wants the vaccine - she is bright, mature - and recognises already what is said in the guidance. If she was hesitant, then I’d read the NHS guidance with her - as it is the consensus of thought from all medical bodies:

The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are safe and effective. 2 doses are being offered to children aged 12 to 15 to give them the best protection against COVID-19.

Information:
There is information about vaccination for children at high risk on who can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Why children are being offered the COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 is usually mild in most children, but it can make some children unwell.

1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine gives good protection against your child getting seriously ill. But 2 doses gives stronger and longer-lasting protection.

Vaccinating children can also help stop the spread of COVID-19 to other people, including within schools.

@Beadebaser But she can read all that and still say no. Being offered NHS guidance, and saying no, does not mean someone lacks capacity or does not meet Gillick Competence.

Who is trying to deter anyone?

@XenoBitch

If they make that decision due to misinformation - I would say they lack Gillick competence.

[quote Beadebaser]@XenoBitch

If they make that decision due to misinformation - I would say they lack Gillick competence.[/quote]
Luckily, you are not the person making that call.

@liveforsummer 2 posters above who said the risk from the vaccine is greater than the risk from Covid.

If they make that decision due to misinformation - I would say they lack Gillick competence

Woah! That is a slippery slope!

I'm not anti vaccine but you see how that argument could be used to force anyone to have any medical treatment.

@XenoBitch - so you are saying it’s fine if children base important decisions on misinformation and not the NHS guidance? Can you see how harmful that is?

@glimpsing - have you seen how much fuss is currently being made over fake news and misinformation? It’s a huge online harm.

[quote Beadebaser]@XenoBitch - so you are saying it’s fine if children base important decisions on misinformation and not the NHS guidance? Can you see how harmful that is?[/quote]
A child can be Gillick competent and still turn down any treatment.
In any case, please say how you would force a 15 year old to have a vaccine.

@XenoBitch I have not once said force! It’s about whether I need to be part of the consent process.

I would read through the NHS guidance with my child - use it to answer questions.

If my child was stating reasons such as I’m more at risk from the vaccine then Covid, I would say she doesn’t have Gillick competence. So I’d feel I’d need to intervene/parental consent would be necessary - but no way would I force.

If she was exempt, according to NHS guidance, I wouldn’t give her the vaccine.

@glimpsing - have you seen how much fuss is currently being made over fake news and misinformation? It’s a huge online harm.

Then you address this. Make sure the correct information is understood. You don't assume someone is not Gillick competent.