Is there any point in DS(15) getting the second covid vaccination?

[ItsAllAboutTheLighting]

I'm just mulling this over and I wondered whether there was any point to him getting his second covid vaccine.

The reason we vaccinated was to try and prevent him getting it. Try and prevent him spreading it and generally be part of the improvement.

His brothers aren't vaccinated (too young).

We have all had covid in the last few weeks, DS (vaccinated) and DS (unvaccinated) both caught covid, both had the same symptoms (headache and achey muscles, no cough or temp or loss of smell/taste), and both past it on with those symptoms before the LFT was positive.

So the vaccination didn't prevent him spreading it, didn't prevent him getting ill with it and hasn't generally helped at all.

DH and I are vaccinated fully and we will both continue to do so (I'm a nurse) but for the kids? I'm not so sure now.

Any words of wisdom?

@Beadebaser
I didnt say parental view/consent was not to be considered, in under 16's but it is just that. Parents or carers should be included in the decision making process but the goverment guidance on this issue is clear that when a parent and young person do not agree on vaccination, and the young person is competent then the young person will be vaccinated.
here is what government guidelines update in sept 2021 say:

"What happens if a parent has not consented, but the child wants to be vaccinated?
Young people who understand fully what is involved in a proposed procedure, such as vaccination, can legally give consent. This is known as ‘Gillick competence’.

If no consent from a parent has been received, but the child wants to be vaccinated and is judged to be Gillick competent by the healthcare professional, the child can still be vaccinated. In this case, the healthcare professional will make every effort to contact a parent to check before they proceed.

If a parent objects to their child being vaccinated but the child wants to be vaccinated and is judged to be Gillick competent, the healthcare professional will try to reach agreement between the parent and child. However, the parent cannot overrule the decision of a Gillick competent child."

@Theredjellybean

The examples you’ve given - yes the child shows they’ve understood the benefits of the vaccine - possibly a better understanding than their parents. Gillick competence.

How about a situation where a parent understands the benefits and wants their child vaccinated - but the child has been swayed by misinformation? Who has competence?

I don’t see the point if he has just had it.

I don’t even understand the discussion and the vitriol

What benefit is there if the second vaccine if he has just had covid given he is a young male who therefore has a higher risk of myocarditis from the second vaccine than the disease he just recovered from?

@Thievesoil

Perhaps it’s better to seek help from a HCP than listen to ignorant comments on social media?

There are many studies that show that the risk of myocarditis is greater from Covid itself than the vaccine. In cases were it has been reported the overwhelming majority have mild symptoms.

No health care provider is saying don’t get the second vaccine, it’s too risky. You are just sowing seeds of doubt and that’s harmful.

Even the JCVI themselves said that the risk of Covid marginally outweighs the risk from the vaccine - and the JVCI have been criticised because for insufficient consideration long Covid/wider impact on the community.
I acknowledge that the OP’s case is different/it’s the second vaccine- so she should seek professional help. She certainly shouldn’t be listening to you.

Well she asked the question?

Try getting advice from a HCP at present - it is impossible

But to the bigger point - she is asking the views of other mothers. If the experts can’t agree on the matter then of course there will be debate amongst parents

Covid didn’t affect her child seriously so surely the risk assessment of the second dose should consider that individually? The risk of him getting heart issues from covid, for the short term at least is now presumably close to zero? As he has had covid. We know the risks to young males from vaccine start to increase after the second vaccine

Why is this controversial?

Assuming the timings are the same for the second vaccine as they are for the first, he wouldn't be able to get the vaccine for 3 months after having covid, so it gives you both some time to think about it.

[quote orderagain]@GoodnightGrandma

12 weeks

This is wrong. If you've recently had Covid you need to wait 4 weeks ( 28 days) before you receive a vaccine.

The 12 weeks is the interval between doses. [/quote]
That's wrong. For the under 18's it's 3 months after having covid. It changed mid/late November.

@Thievesoil

No - it’s not impossible to get advice at all. Whether it’s a pharmacist, or a case of emailing your doctor - you can get help. That’s a very defeatist and negative comment.

It’s precisely why social media is harmful. You have potentially given the wrong advice - and potentially deterred someone from doing the right thing - which in the long chain of events could lead to someone unnecessarily in ICU.

The NHS guidelines are our best source of information. Not hearsay - and unqualified people with an agenda on social media.

@Beadebaser you seem to be all over these vaccine threads shouting down anyone who has a different opinion to you. A previous poster is correct, he would have to wait 12 weeks now after having COVID to be able to have his 2nd injection so you’ve got a bit of time to wait and see and some other countries do take natural infection into account.

My 2 teens had covid in October so they are eligible now for vaccines but for now they aren’t going to have it as they weren’t particularly ill. I also got it and am double vaccinated. Everyone needs to make the decision they feel is right for them and not feel bullied either way. I wouldn’t say to anyone else they shouldn’t get their teens vaccinated but people should be free to make their own decisions.

@Turquoisesea
People need to make well informed decisions. It’s more social media I’m annoyed with, and the fact that there is so much misinformation out there.

I’m completely baffled as to why people would trust hearsay/anecdotal/unqualified advice here, rather than read NHS guidelines or ask a qualified professional.

If you feel I’m bullying or posting out of Mumsnets’ terms/conditions you can report me.

Otherwise I’m free to post here - whether you like it or not!

@Beadebaser you say misinformation from social media but not everyone is taking their experience from there. My DH had a very bad reaction to his first vaccine that is ongoing. Another friend is still off work with severe vertigo after her 2nd vaccine in June! You may say these things are coincidental but they both happened within a couple of days of vaccination. Obviously I know lots more people (myself included) who have been vaccinated with no issue so I am not anti-vax at all. All I’m saying is people should weigh up the risk / benefit for themselves. For everyone saying do it for the greater good, where does it leave people like my friend? My point is merely people should have freedom of choice and shouldn’t be shouted down for having a different choice to the one you think is right. You keep saying talk to a doctor or HCP knowing full well they have to give advice to have the vaccine or they would lose their job. Meanwhile there are NHS staff who have yet to have it or haven’t had their DCs vaccinated. Personally I think the vaccines are a very good thing. My point is I don’t necessarily see the benefit for a healthy teenager who has already had covid to having another vaccine. I just think people should be free to chose without being forced to have it, that is all.

@Turquoisesea

I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your DH and friend - and of course that will shape your opinion.

Anecdotally - from my friends and family I don’t know anyone who has reacted badly.

But this is the issue with anecdotal evidence. From my anecdotal evidence - I could say there is no risk at all ( not true), and from yours we could say it’s very risky (also not the true picture).

This is why global statistics and the consensus of medical thought is what we should use as our guide. If the doctor/HCP provider was giving certain advice ‘through risk of losing their job’ - then why are doctors all over the world giving the same advice?

My issue with social media is that if someone is giving the wrong, unqualified advice - and it deters one person from doing the right thing - it could lead to a chain of events that results in someone unnecessarily admitted to ICU.

And the statistics - globally state that is far, far, far more likely to be an unvaccinated person with Covid then someone with a bad reaction to the vaccine.

I’m unqualified to comment on the OP’s situation - which is why I think it’s SO important to speak to one/or several HCP’s - and consult the NHS guidelines.

"I’m unqualified to comment on the OP’s situation - which is why I think it’s SO important to speak to one/or several HCP’s - and consult the NHS guidelines."

The op has said she's a nurse.