If you have an eligible DS, what did you decide re vaccination?

[Nilbog]

I’m still on the fence and would like to hear from people who have decided either way for their son.

I’m specifically asking about boys because of the myocarditis risk.

My DS is 14 and I’m not sure. I had all my jabs without a second thought but it feels different for DS somehow.

He had Covid (very mildly) back in 2020 and nothing since.

Ds is 15 and has had his 2 injections with no issues

Mine has had one, and will have the second in a couple of weeks. I did think long and hard about it, and it did make me nervous. If I'm honest the main reason I decided he should go ahead and have it is because we like to travel as a family, and without being double jabbed that would be very difficult. The actual risk v benefit in relation to covid itself almost didn't seem worth it for him.

2 DS aged 15 and 12, neither of them vaccinated. My personal opinion is the no valuable significant benefit for them to have this vaccine. They've both had covid, one had no symptoms whatsoever, the other literally coughed for 2 days but was in not anyway ill, based on their experiences I can not justify vaccinating them to reduce the severity of the none existent symptoms they had that did not impact them medically at all. I do worry about the higher risk of myocarditis in teenage boys too.
If the vaccine had any significant effect transmission or the efficacy of the vaccine had more longevity then I may have thought differently.
We have a holiday booked to Spain end of summer I'm certainly not vaccinating them to go on a holiday, I'm hoping Spain Will loosen its entry criteria by then, if not we will cancel or change destination.

DS had one jab at 14, the 2nd at 15. No issues with either. I did bring him for jabs when I knew he wouldn't be playing sport for a few days though.

DS 16 hada sore arm for a few days with both jabs

Ds1 (15) and Ds2 (13) have had 2 jabs without any issues.

Thanks @dementedpixie

Had your DS had Covid previously.

Did you have any doubts at all?

DS 14 had both jabs. No problems apart from feeling rubbish for a day after. He has asthma, so at increased risk if he does catch covid.

@Donkeyinamanger I’m swaying towards the vaccine for the same reason. I don’t want DS to miss out on travel opportunities.

I’m wondering now whether that will continue to be a requirement.

14 and 11 here and both had Pfizer with no issues. 14yo has been boosted and was ill for a day after that one weirdly. Slept it off and no ongoing issues. We all got COVID late December too. All mild, with the 14yo having slightly worse symptoms and the 11yo none at all

Both of mine (11 and 8) have had their first, and have their second coming up - from what I understand, the risk from myocarditis from Covid is higher than the risk from the vaccine.

@Nilbog

Thanks *@dementedpixie*

Had your DS had Covid previously.

Did you have any doubts at all?

No he hadn't had covid beforehand and still hasn't even when dh brought it into the house after Christmas (none of the 3 others in the family caught it) No I didn't really have doubts and I let him choose and he chose to have them both

@Wellbythebloodyhell - interesting that you think travel restrictions may be lifted too.

I can’t see any huge benefit to DS, I understand the ‘greater good’ aspect by the risk is all on him.

DS is 13 and has just had his 2nd jab last weekend. No hesitation, and he will have boosters if required. Would have had it sooner, but he had to wait 28 days after a positive PCR back in October (the guidance has now changed to 12 weeks, so I'm glad we acted when we did).

He has most likely had COVID twice in fact - March 2020 when he was mildly ill and DH and I were sick for weeks, but no testing available, and then Oct 2021 which was almost certainly Delta.

The risks of myocarditis are very small indeed, but FWIW the risks are 6 times higher from the virus than from the vaccine. I don't think it's wise to keep exposing our children to a novel virus which can cause organ damage without doing what we can to mitigate the effects, and vaccines are the best mitigation we have.

Thanks for sharing @HerRoyalNotness. I’m not concerned about the vaccine per se but the risk of myocarditis to teenage boys.

I’m not sure if it occurs immediately after the jab or later on.

My teens of much the same age read up about the vaccines for themselves and with discussion with both parents both decided to get vaccinated. They have both had 2 doses and have been fine. Neither have had COVID before but they have seen family members suffer with long COVID and we have vulnerable family members who they wanted to do their bit to protect as well.

Thanks @QuinkWashable, I realise there is a risk of myocarditis from Covid itself (plus the dreaded long Covid) but I wasn’t aware that one risk was higher than the other.

Wondering here with my son! He’s had covid twice and suffered badly with palpitations after his first bout. Seemed fine the second time so I’m v undecided x

Both of mine age 12 and 15. 15yr old had his first as he was on vulnerable list. Both of them were fine and had no side effects. The information was very clear on what to look out for so we felt confident if there was an issue it would be treated.

Currently waiting for my 10 year old to get her invitation.

Thank you @FrankieBoyleSezLoveOneAnother, I wasn’t aware the risk of myocarditis from Covid was 6 times higher.

I think I’ve convinced myself he won’t get it again.

Kids don't need vaccinated.

Thanks for your follow up response @dementedpixie I’m pleased your DS has managed to swerve the virus.

Just been invited for my 9 yr old she is keen and so am I so she will be going asap.

Hi @Luckymummytoone, the palpitations sound scary. I hope your DS recovered swiftly.

Ds13...I'm vaccinated but decided against it for him. He can always get it in the future but it's is a bit too new for me to feel comfortable

@dementedpixie

Ds is 15 and has had his 2 injections with no issues

Well both my teenagers [13/15] have had it. No issues. My youngest [unvaccinated] caught it and passed it on to my 15 year old. She has been practically symptomless. As for my ds - hasn't caught it. Neither have I or my dh. I would say its definitely worth it.