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Covid

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Original poster

Parents of 12yr olds to vaccinate or not vaccinate that's my big struggle! Advice please?

124 replies

sparklymumSW4 · 02/02/2022 19:48

Hi all,
So let me start by saying myself and hubster all jabbed up inc booster and I work in the NHS so I'm by no way against the covid vaccine personally and I 100% accept the decisions of those who choose not to BUT... not sure how I feel about kids vaccines my twins turn 12 in a few weeks and I'm struggling over vaccinating them or not one child is happy to have it an the other is not ultimately I will make the decision but I just don't feel like I want them to have it right now as they are still quite small and I had a horrendous reaction to all 3 jabs.... would love to hear from parents of those turning 12 soon and those who have turned 12 and your opinions. Thanks

OP posts:

ABCeasyasdohrayme · 02/02/2022 19:51

I equipped my dc with the facts and let them decide. They decided to have it, which I'm glad about, and they were totally fine.

At the age of 12 it should be up to them imo.

user1471530109 · 02/02/2022 19:54

I also let me DD decide. She had it. She's due her second one soon.

Non-reaction other than a sore arm. In fact, all the kids at school as far as I know, didn't have reactions to the vaccine. We had about 60-70% who took it up. Considering most if year 7 were under 12, I think that's pretty good.

LittleOwl153 · 02/02/2022 19:58

12 in August. Jabbed in December. Her choice.
She has Pfizer no side effect at all. I had AZ then Pfizer booster - had minor (24hr) issues with first only) her dad had Pfizer all three and nothing but a headache.

Her dad was for it, I was against it. We're both fully jabbed, and nhs Staff. I explained my concerns to her - around fertility, future issues in a still growing child etc. Her dad gave the official line. I said I'd sign her form for school if she wanted it (so she didn't think I'd think she'd gone against me etc)

TheVanguardSix · 02/02/2022 20:00

DD is in year 7 and still 11, but the majority of her 12 year old friends have had the vaccine and were absolutely fine apart from sore arms. That said, they all got the omicron variant over Christmas. So did our household. DD- unvaccinated- was not worse off than her vaccinated friends.

celestebellman · 02/02/2022 20:02

I posted a similar thread last week, though was partly travel related. I also work in NHS and have had both vaccines and booster, but initially decided not to let my then 12 year old have it as was not convinced it was in her best interests. However we had holiday to France booked (in 2020 - but hopefully going this year!) and it appears she will pretty much need it to travel so ultimately she has had it. I didn't want her missing any more of her childhood, not being able to go on holiday etc. She has been fine, no side effects (touch wood) only a mildly sore arm after.

She dislike needles to an almost phobic point, so given the choice probably would not have had it, but I think she was eventually swayed by the travel issue too. (And from my point of view I am glad to have got over the needle hurdle as there are vaccines I do want her to have).

Geamhradh · 02/02/2022 20:04

Never crossed my mind not to. Was very happy when the vaccine rollout was extended.
DD had her booster 2 weeks ago.

autienotnaughty · 02/02/2022 20:08

My 6 year old has been offered the vaccine he's too young to make informed choice and not sure how I feel. Me, dh and adult dd are all done but don't know if I want to put ds through it.

CaptainMyCaptain · 02/02/2022 20:08

My 12 year old grandson has had 2 jabs. He is currently covid positive but not ill at all. I believe the vaccine has helped.

Krakenchorus · 02/02/2022 20:09

It is likely that your child (and most of us) will fall into one of three categories, eventually.

A. Get Covid without having jab. Or
B. Get jabbed, not Covid. Or
C. Get jab and then Covid.

Which outcome do you feel is likely to have the greatest negative impact on your child's health?

SeeminglyOblivious · 02/02/2022 20:13

My eldest is (just) 14 and hasn't had it...and nor did we let him decide...although this wasn't an issue as he didn't care either way! It was solely mine and DH's decision and I called when his letter arrived and took him off the list.

He's recently asked if he can have it. When questioned why it turns out that he was feeling a bit left out because all his mates have had it 🙄 which confirms my belief that DH and I were right to make the decision for him.

I've told him that we can talk about it but he'll need to provide more reasoning for having it than that...hasn't mentioned it since.

Iamkmackered1979 · 02/02/2022 20:15

My 10 year old falls into the at risk category and had his on Sunday. No side effects at all and has been happy to get it. My 11 year old is 12 soon and was jealous he didn’t get his too so assuming he’ll be happy to go when his time comes. I’m also nhs and had all 3 jabs, the flu and recently hep b booster. My 16 and 20 year olds also chose to be vaccinated.
Do what feels right for you op, I researched and spoke to paediatricians re my son prior to him getting his immunisation (I work in paeds, his own paediatrician recommended it too.

LefttoherownDevizes · 02/02/2022 20:17

my 12 yo had 2 and was five with both, just a sore arm. Ditto 14yo.

16yo was fine after first, bit ropey after second (but couldn't sleep due to sore arm so triggered a migraine) and booster had no impact whatsoever.

All Pfizer

pikapikapukachu · 02/02/2022 20:17

My DS is 12 and has had both jabs. He wanted it, though if he'd been unsure I would have tried to persuade (though not pressure) him to have it.
He's currently COVID positive but is asymptomatic.
Personally I didn't feel the risks of the vaccination outweighed the benefits, and luckily he felt the same.

GiantSpider · 02/02/2022 20:19

My 12yo has had it - he wanted it and was absolutely fine. Also I want to be able to go abroad this summer!

lumpofcomfort · 02/02/2022 20:23

DC turns 12 soon. Always planned to get the vaccine asap. She is happy to get it. Being able to go on holiday to Europe is another factor that makes her keen.

buckleten · 02/02/2022 20:31

Both mine wanted, and have had both jabs, with no ill effects.

CarrieBlue · 02/02/2022 20:34

No side effects bar a slightly sore arm for my 12yo and my 15 yo. No question they weren’t having theirs, the eldest was quite keen that Bill Gates would know where he was.

Stevie6 · 02/02/2022 20:36

None of us vaccinated, all of us had covid before Christmas and symptoms were minimal

Stevie6 · 02/02/2022 20:37

Meant to say DCs are 12 and 16

Luredbyapomegranate · 02/02/2022 20:38

I didn’t drag them but assumed they’d be fine about it and they were. If they hadn’t been the threat of no holiday would have rapidly changed their minds

Schoolchoicesucks · 02/02/2022 20:39

DC is 12 and recently had the 2nd. Initially were concerned about risk of myocarditis, then reassured it was only 1 dose and seemed sensible with rising case numbers. No side effects. Again weren't sure about the 2nd dose, but limitations on travel persuaded both DC and me that would be better to have it. Sore arm and bit under weather for 24 hours.

Hoping there won't be a 3rd jab needed for this age group. Also hoping that DC2 who is under 12 will be able to travel this summer without being jabbed as doesn't seem to be any signs of rollout to this age group.

Luredbyapomegranate · 02/02/2022 20:39

@CarrieBlue

No side effects bar a slightly sore arm for my 12yo and my 15 yo. No question they weren’t having theirs, the eldest was quite keen that Bill Gates would know where he was.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 02/02/2022 20:42

IF the vaccine had stronger impact on transmission or the effectiveness of the vaccine lasted a hell of a lot longer and we had more Information regarding any long term side effects I could be more inclined to vaccinate, however as 1 DC showed no symptoms at all and the other literally coughed for a day when they had covid ,I'm at a loss as to why they need vaccinating and what benefit it is to them

Hotpinkangel19 · 02/02/2022 20:44

Me and DH double vaccinated but not boostered. Haven't consented to my 14 and 15 year olds having it though.

HerRoyalNotness · 02/02/2022 20:47

My two oldest have had it. Only sore arm for the first two shots. My oldest had his booster and needed a day off school the next day and slept most of the day.

We all got Covid after Xmas. Younger of the 2’had no symptoms. Oldest (before booster) was worst affected in the family, but still in the mild category of symptoms

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