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?

@Beadebaser

No that’s not correct. Someone 16 or over can make their own medical decisions.

As the link says, under 16s can and will make their own medical decisions or they have the competence to do so. In these circumstances, what their parents do or don’t think is irrelevant.

Children under the age of 16 can consent to their own treatment if they're believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what's involved in their treatment. This is known as being Gillick competent.

It also says that under 16 can apply their own consent so with regards to vaccination, what the child say stands in most cases

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

@PinkTree7 - the NHS guidance is incorrect????

www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/56564-COVID-19%20vaccine%20information%20leaflet%20for%2012%20to%2017-year-olds-December2021-English.pdf

It IS still about consent.

@Beadebaser

Your interpretation of the NHS guidance isn’t correct. You’re arguing that under 16s cannot name their own medical decisions, and their parents should decide for them.

That isn’t correct as most 15 year olds will be considered Gillick competent and able to make their own choices. What their parents do or don’t believe is irrelevant.

If someone has based there opinions on whether to take the vaccine on social media discussions —and not the NHS guidance - then I wouldn’t say they are competent in making that decision.

Young people live in a society and rely on others in society for their well being- doctors, nurses, dentists, engineers, caregivers, teachers etc etc. The vaccine in as many people as possible including young people means society can function as near normal as possible.
We vaccinate babies against Rubella and that's to protect pregnant women and their unborn babies- other people, they don't know. That's how society is meant to work yet all these people turning into anti vaxxers when it comes to their teens is weird. Talking about how the vaccine is new and not tested etc which is not true. Shows how much the anti vax movement is creeping into mainstream consciousness even those who proclaim they aren't..

Their

My 15 year old had 1 vaccination 2 months ago, and is now on Covid day 9 and still unwell. Nothing like a cold and more akin to Flu from what I can tell, with the addition of being able to feel it affecting her breathing.
I'm not expecting her to end up in hospital and hopefully she will be better soon, but 'most children / teens are not very ill' does not cover all of them.
I think anything you / your DC can do to minimise their personal risk & impact is worth doing. However your DD has to want it and they will not vaccinate without her consent.

@PinkTree7

But that word ‘consent’ still is used. Which would imply guidance is still needed below the age of 16 - and it’s important that parents ensure that their child use the NHS guidance to form that decision.

If they are basing their reasoning on anything other than NHS guidance, then I would argue that they don’t have competence.

Not all young people take it mildly and this isn't something we should be telling them.

I personally know a 15 year old girl who passed out going to the loo she was so weak with it. And a 13 year old boy who ended up in ICU with PIMS.

@Beadebaser

Again, that’s not correct. The materials the DC uses to reach their decision are not relevant.

All that matters is that they understand the treatment and the consequences of it. DC can and do make decisions contrary to NHS guidance.

@Beadebaser

If someone has based there opinions on whether to take the vaccine on social media discussions —and not the NHS guidance - then I wouldn’t say they are competent in making that decision.

You do know that not all under 16 years olds base their decisions on something because of what they have seen on social media don’t you?

The NHS and government guidance is based on protecting the NHS and preventing school closures among other things. The remit of the JCVI was to only look at the risk/ benefit to the child, and that is what they did.
Their findings are published and not hard to read.
Now, there will be people who are believe that children should take a vaccine that does not benefit their own health ( based on current research and subject to change of course) and there are those who believe that the purpose of vaccinating children should be to the direct benefit of the child and not the benefit of the heath care system, education, or anyone else.
That is the fundamental ethical split- whether children should have a vaccination for the greater good of society or not.
Pondering this, questioning it, does not make anyone an idiot, anti vax, or any of the other over the top accusations. It’s a reasonable thing to question. But we seem to live in a stupidly polarised world now where careful consideration and nuance is dead, and hysteria and hyperbole rule.

If they don't have competence ( my son doesn't) then you still couldn't force it. There would need to be a best interests decision and then special arrangements made if it decided it is in their best interests. A vaccination centre would not vaccinate in those circumstances.

@5zeds

This hopefully isn’t genuine. That’s exactly what I think when I read yet another thread where people think supporting their children to make good choices involves hiding the reality of what those choices mean for others. It reminds me of the ridiculous “chicken pox parties” threads which mercifully seem to have stopped. I’d be ashamed of my child if they did this and I’d wouldn’t hide that from them. I certainly wouldn’t be supporting their stance by pretending they’d “researched it” and made some very good arguments as though arguments are going to let the CV access the community. Selfish irresponsible behaviour.

Glad you're not my mum!

@SeasonFinale

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

She does not want the vaccine. That does not make her anti-vax. How sad that you would label a child with such a loaded term.

@PinkTree7!!

The word ‘consent’ is used! I am correct!!

Of course it is relevant @PinkTree7. If a child has been influenced by misinformation - that is very harmful!

Misinformation is a major online harm.

@FurryAntiWaxer

I think the long term benefit to her in staring down your DH bluster wildly exceeds that of the vaccine. Tell him his personal feelings don't outweigh her bodily autonomy.

Absolutely this!

Should she be forced? Please tell me you're joking?

And she is right. The benefit doesn't outweigh the risk in her demographic. Assuming she is otherwise for and healthy. She is a child. It is not her responsibility to protect anybody else l.

@lemondrop21

Is that what the NHS guidance states?