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Original poster

15 yr old doesn't want the vaccine.

411 replies

legohurts16 · 31/12/2021 22:40

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?

OP posts:
delilahbucket · 31/12/2021 23:16

You can't force her, but I think it's important to remember that all the childhood vaccines are not given because your child is specifically at risk, it is for herd immunity. We still vaccinate against polio and diphtheria but it is very rare to catch these, let alone be seriously ill.
I would suggest to your dd she does more thorough research if she wishes to make adult decisions because she's missed half of the information that is relevent. Perhaps tell her to look into how vaccines are developed and point out the Pfizer tech is older than she is.

Neverunderstood · 31/12/2021 23:17

Her body her choice. I’d also be considering my future with someone that behaved in this way towards a minor.

MerryChristmas21 · 31/12/2021 23:19

If she thinks it hasn't been properly tested, then she hasn't done her research, research is more than listening to anti vaxxers on Instagram.

Pickledlipstick · 31/12/2021 23:21

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UninspiredUsername1 · 31/12/2021 23:24

I'm triple vaxxed, as is my husband.
My daughter is almost 15 and is yet to have the vaccine.
It's a mutual decision. Yes, there may have been extensive testing but they can only test up to a point. How can they possibly know long term effects?

There have been many, many reports of the vaccine having effects on periods. My cycle has been disrupted since having my first jab six months ago.
My daughter is yet to start her periods, I'm not comfortable with her having the vaccine yet as no one knows what if any long term effects may come with it.

OP, your daughter has body autonomy. If she doesn't want it, her decision must be respected.

Prescottdanni123 · 31/12/2021 23:25

Her argument about the vaccine being rushed isn't accurate. Yes, it normally takes several years for a vaccine to be approved. But, these last two years have not been normal. It can take years to get funding for a new vaccine. Because of the situation, the funding for creating covid vaccinations was provided in no time at all. It can also take years to recruit enough volunteers to take part in a vaccine trial. Again, due to circumstances, there was enough willing volunteers in a few months willing to try the covid vaccine.

BoredZelda · 31/12/2021 23:28

Her reasons are that it was - a rushed vaccine with little testing

She can make whatever decision she wants, but this is inaccurate. When she is doing her “reading up,” you might want to remind her what a credible source for information is.

Gooseandamoose · 31/12/2021 23:29

@BoredZelda

Of course it was rushed - by neccesity. Insisting otherwise is just a cope.

TheScenicWay · 31/12/2021 23:29

Leave her. Delta is on its way out, omicron is mild and will hopefully be over the wave in a month or so. Younger people aren’t affected much by covid anyway so unless she has underlying issues, she should be fine.

ChristmasCurry · 31/12/2021 23:30

She should not be forced, but tell her that her research is crap.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 31/12/2021 23:32

She should not be forced but her 'research' is crap and she (and all other resisters) are selfish. Tell her to research herd immunity.

Original poster
legohurts16 · 31/12/2021 23:32

I think my DH's argument is she is still a child as she is under 16 so he should be able to decide for her like you would if she was 8. Until Omricon he was against the children being vaccinated.

We have friends who are both doctors and neither of their daughters had been vaccinated but now omricon is here they have both now had their jabs so I think he thinks if doctors now think their own children should be vaccinated then she needs to be protected.

I would prefer her to be vaccinated and have tried talking her round and talking about the benefits but at 15 I do think she should be in charge of her own body. I don't agree with her reasons but I don't want to fall out with her over. I think DH needs to back off and maybe she will decide off her own back that actually the vaccine is a good thing!!

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 31/12/2021 23:33

@YetAnotherSpartacus

She should not be forced but her 'research' is crap and she (and all other resisters) are selfish. Tell her to research herd immunity.
Telling someone they are selfish wont change their mind. You don't attract flies with vinegar.
CarrieBlue · 31/12/2021 23:33

She hasn’t researched maturely at all. But it’s her decision, however wrong she is. She can’t be forced.

ruthydoodles24f · 31/12/2021 23:35

I'm triple backed but I'm leaving it up to my 15 year old and 17 year old ..
It is fully their choice

ittakes2 · 31/12/2021 23:35

Some countries won’t let people in without two vaccines - others let them in but expect the unvaccinated to isolate. If you plan on a holiday this year might want to check if she will be able to come too.

ruthydoodles24f · 31/12/2021 23:35

Triple vaxxed "

Isolated101 · 31/12/2021 23:37

Same situation, my eldest is refusing the vaccine. I have given my opinion, but what else can you do? You can’t physically drag her there and pin her down. It’s her body and ultimately her choice, nothing your DH can do about it.

IggyAce · 31/12/2021 23:43

My dd is 15 and currently doesn’t want the vaccine, for similar reasons given by your dd. I can guarantee if your dh attempts to drag her she’s very likely to dig her heals in. We have taken a softer approach respecting her decision and she is starting to waver.
However me dh and DS are currently covid positive and we all have very mild symptoms (ds under 12) so I see her point.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 31/12/2021 23:46

Telling someone they are selfish wont change their mind. You don't attract flies with vinegar

Tell me where I said to actually tell her she is selfish?

WorriedGiraffe · 31/12/2021 23:51

@legohurts16

I think my DH's argument is she is still a child as she is under 16 so he should be able to decide for her like you would if she was 8. Until Omricon he was against the children being vaccinated.

We have friends who are both doctors and neither of their daughters had been vaccinated but now omricon is here they have both now had their jabs so I think he thinks if doctors now think their own children should be vaccinated then she needs to be protected.

I would prefer her to be vaccinated and have tried talking her round and talking about the benefits but at 15 I do think she should be in charge of her own body. I don't agree with her reasons but I don't want to fall out with her over. I think DH needs to back off and maybe she will decide off her own back that actually the vaccine is a good thing!!

But omicron is milder than delta anyway, and so far the available research suggests that immunity can last for as little as 10 weeks. She may not have all her research right, but I can’t see we’re he has his justification for forcing it on her either.
CrunchyCarrot · 31/12/2021 23:51

Please don't force your DD to have the jabs. It'll cause a lot of upset and distress. She's old enough to make up her own mind.

Notdoingthis · 31/12/2021 23:54

Her choice

InFiveMins · 01/01/2022 00:05

Her body, her choice.

Simple Smile

Comefromaway · 01/01/2022 00:09

@legohurts16

I think my DH's argument is she is still a child as she is under 16 so he should be able to decide for her like you would if she was 8. Until Omricon he was against the children being vaccinated.

We have friends who are both doctors and neither of their daughters had been vaccinated but now omricon is here they have both now had their jabs so I think he thinks if doctors now think their own children should be vaccinated then she needs to be protected.

I would prefer her to be vaccinated and have tried talking her round and talking about the benefits but at 15 I do think she should be in charge of her own body. I don't agree with her reasons but I don't want to fall out with her over. I think DH needs to back off and maybe she will decide off her own back that actually the vaccine is a good thing!!

Your Dh may think he should be able to decide as she’s under 16 but legally that is not correct and he needs to realise that.