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?

And understanding and belief is different, I'm afraid. Understanding is all that is required for Gillick competence.

@glimpsing so if my child is believing misinformation I should not address this?

If they are believing misinformation then I would say my child’s understanding is not sufficiently well informed to make the decision - and I need to intervene.

@Beadebaser how do you cope in day to day life with others that have a different opinion to you? Or are you not friends with anyone unless they think the same as you?

Unsure if you have said if you have children, but if so what happens when they have a strong opinion on something do you just disregard them altogether and keep on pushing the same info towards them?

@Beadebaser

If they are believing misinformation then I would say my child’s understanding is not sufficiently well informed to make the decision - and I need to intervene.

An HCP trained in Gillick Competence will most likely intervene before you do. And rightly so.

Absolutely not should she be forced. I wanted my teens to have it and thankfully they wanted to, not just for themselves as they both had covid before vaccine but doing their part in a global pandemic. But I wouldn’t have forced them

If they are believing misinformation then I would say my child’s understanding is not sufficiently well informed to make the decision - and I need to intervene.
The correct course of action is to address the flaws in this information and provide more accurate information. It should stand up to scrutiny.

Because everyone who disagrees does not do so because they lack capacity.

It isn't parents that decide on Gillick Competence.

I wouldn't be worried about it all unless she is an a vulnerable category. The JCVI didn't recommend the vaccine in her age group because medically speaking they couldn't say that medically the benefits outweigh the risks. I'd be more worried about her not taking the MMR or such like. You could always speak to a paediatrician and see if they think it is particularly important for her to have it? She has stastically more chance of being killed by a bolt of lightening than dying of covid so I wouldn't overly worry about it. It is important that we show our young people that bodily autonomy is important and that no means no. She'll be aware that other more vulnerable groups are protected and she may feel satisfied to leave it at that.

@XenoBitch medical professionals are trained in Gillick competence - and tbh I’ve read about it more where - ignorant parents are stopping their child having the vaccine, when the child wants it - and overruling the parents’ stupidity.

[quote Beadebaser]@liveforsummer 2 posters above who said the risk from the vaccine is greater than the risk from Covid.[/quote]
But that's their own conclusion that's influenced their own decisions. It's not encouraging/telling anyone else what to do.

@BertieQueen

No it’s called parenting.

If my child is being swayed by harmful hearsay or misinformation - I’d present her with facts and the NHS guidance.

She is still a child - she is still under the age of consent. Whether that’s alcohol, medication, sex etc.

[quote Beadebaser]@XenoBitch medical professionals are trained in Gillick competence - and tbh I’ve read about it more where - ignorant parents are stopping their child having the vaccine, when the child wants it - and overruling the parents’ stupidity.[/quote]
What happens to a kid who doesn't want it , and the parents insist on it. You still have not answered that one.

@Beadebaser and would you really be so ready to deem your daughter not Gillick competent at 15? Just for not wanting a vaccine that has attracted some controversy in this particular age group? With all the extra responsibilities and advocacy this would this require you to take on? And the loss of autonomy this would potentially lead to for your daughter going forward...

Certainly not something to be taken lightly...

As I said, I am not against the vaccine but I would think very carefully before I made that particular decision.

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Are you very anxious about Covid?

Trying to reduce this to personal anxiety is pretty low.

You reckon? When somebody is displaying a level of urgency that doesn’t match the risk level, I think it’s very pertinent.

There’s no shame in being anxious. It’s a very common disorder, that has rocketed in prevalence since the pandemic began. I’ve suffered with sever generalised anxiety myself in the past, and have every sympathy with sufferers. However, we should not be basing important decisions on anxious feelings. So it’s important to tease out where this is motivating somebody and set it aside to make a rational decision. That is why it’s relevant to ask the question.

@liveforsummer - so the NHS guidance is wrong/the consensus of worldwide medical opinion on Covid is wrong? And it’s fine if my child wants to believe that? Does that apply if my child decides to refuse other medical treatments - or just Covid? If she needs cancer treatment - should I say - well that’s up to you darling? Or should I be a parent?

"My DC don't want it either even at the expense of a holiday abroad that's already paid for, I'm not going to force them its their choice. I have to agree theres very little benefit to them personally on a medical basis so I'm not going to argue with their decision. I'll happily take them for the vaccine If they change their mind."

I bet they're loving that little power trip.

It isn't about the benefit to them. It's about the benefit to other people, particularly those with a compromised immune system, e.g., grandparents. Like wearing a mask.

No, you can't force them, but you can present a compelling argument.

We are cosseted in the UK. Remember 2 years ago, all the footage of coffins in Italy? They have a higher vaccination rate than us even with the EU lag in supplies.

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

@legohurts16

If someone doesn't want to be vaccinated then that needs to be respected, but it doesn't look like this decision is an informed one based on your OP - all her justifications are based on misinformation

I'd be saying it's her decision but ask her to read through some good quality sources first so that she is actually turning it down in an informed manner (and get your husband on board with this - forcing is no way to address vaccine hesistancy)

[quote Beadebaser]@BertieQueen

No it’s called parenting.

If my child is being swayed by harmful hearsay or misinformation - I’d present her with facts and the NHS guidance.

She is still a child - she is still under the age of consent. Whether that’s alcohol, medication, sex etc.[/quote]
Are you actually reading what others including myself are saying?
Not all choices made by those under 16 are based misinformation or social media. You seem to be adamant that they are.

I have provide all information for my child and sat with them and gone through it and answered questions for him.

@XenoBitch - I would say a family discussion using the NHS guidance to answer any questions.

I’d then seek advice from my/her GP if she was still uncertain.

@BertieQueen so what is their reason? Because there is no medical guidance that says the vaccine is more risky than Covid.

[quote Beadebaser]@XenoBitch - I would say a family discussion using the NHS guidance to answer any questions.

I’d then seek advice from my/her GP if she was still uncertain.[/quote]
And if she still says no?

so the NHS guidance is wrong/the consensus of worldwide medical opinion on Covid is wrong? And it’s fine if my child wants to believe that? Does that apply if my child decides to refuse other medical treatments - or just Covid? If she needs cancer treatment - should I say - well that’s up to you darling? Or should I be a parent?

My word, what will you do when she hits 18? People are allowed to make decisions which contradict NHS advice. Like the women who want the contraceptive coil removed because it doesn't suit them and are refused. NHS advice is not particularly geared towards individuals. It's a broad approach by design.

I would say, you need to teach her, rather, on how to make good decisions, for her.

@5zeds

Are you very anxious about Covid? I don’t think so. I’m not sure how I’d quantify that? *@Totallydefeated* are you fairly anxious about all medical intervention?

No, I’m not. I used to suffer with generalised anxiety disorder, but have been recovered for several years now and it was never focused on medical things anyway.

What makes you think I’m anxious about medical stuff? I’m pro autonomy, not anti medicine. I fully avail myself of modern medical interventions, including vaccines. What have I said that would make you think otherwise?

Are you actually reading what others including myself are saying?
Not all choices made by those under 16 are based misinformation or social media. You seem to be adamant that they are.

@BertieQueen

No they're not, but the OPs daughter (which this thread is about), certainly is basing her decision on misinformation so I think a fair enough comment from the PP.