Undecided about second dose (for teens)

[aibusux2u]

My two DDs are due their second dose of Pfizer next week, and I am in two minds. It's ultimately their decision, of course, but they will look to me for guidance.

I wasn't sure about getting them jabbed in the first place, but when Omicron came along with all its unknowns on how kids would be affected and our fears of infecting grandparents, we made the decision together to go ahead.

Reasons against getting second dose:

• The second dose carries the most risk of myocarditis etc
• The threat of Omicron is not as great as it seemed
• Grandparents are now triple jabbed and about to get another booster

Reasons for:

• It might help protect against a worse variant in future
• It might make travel difficult if they have not had both doses.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom? Thank you.

All I can say is that ds (15) got his 2nd dose with no issues and dd (18) got her booster.

It "might" protect vs it "will" increase risk.

Pfizer released their documents yesterday, have a browse of them first.

Do you want to go on holiday? The risk of myocarditis is bigger from covid than the vaccine.

We are in Ireland. My teens have received their second dose and their booster shot. No issues for them apart from a sore arm.

There is a far higher risk of myocarditis from Covid than from the vaccine.

Myocarditis is treatable.

Omicron is not the only Covid variant circulating. However, it does seem that many more children have been hospitalised with this variant.

Even if the initial Covid infection is "mild" for most people, there is still a risk of post-Covid syndrome.

One of my teens has just gone away on a school trip. The red-tape was incredible. EU Digital Covid Certificate, proof of vaccination and booster shot, or proof of vaccination, infection and recovery, independent negative PCR for some students (eye-wateringly expensive) and independent negative antigen for the remainder, passenger locator forms etc. Getting proof of recovery from Covid infection is probably going to be the most troublesome given that there is often no official proof to substantiate a test done at home.

Not having vaccinations may invalidate your travel insurance for Covid related claims. A country which is currently allowing unvaccinated people to enter may change its travel requirements overnight.

I'm glad my DC decided to take the vaccine and booster. They are not 100% protected but it's a good start.

Well mine all had their seconds with no issue and D1 16 had her booster (which I wasn't expecting but apparently doing here in Wales).

But while booster was recent others were start of the year when their schools did have high levels and all of them were keen not to lose more teaching time due any isolation or infections needs.

DD2 is down for a trip aboard next year and we are thinking about holidaying aboard so having them all vaccinated makes that easier - none of that was really in the mix for getting it done.

I think it's still probably a good idea to get done - the risks of covid still seem higher than vaccination but I do think it's less clear cut than at start of the year when mine got their second dose.

OP, I note that you have DDs. My understanding is that the (low) risk of myocarditis from the vaccine is significantly lower in females than males.

@epythymy

It "might" protect vs it "will" increase risk.

Sorry, what do you mean? And do you have a link for the docs Pfizer released yesterday?

DS 12 had both Pfizer doses back in September (Ireland) and is due a booster shortly.

There's still lots of cases locally and the vaccine is clearly reducing the severity of the infection for most people, so I decided it was worth him having it.

www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/myocarditis-and-covid-19-get-facts
As other folk have said the risk of myocarditis is higher from covid than the vaccine. And post covid myocarditis tends to be milder

I know a lot of children who have long covid. Including my 2 year dd at the moment. She’s tired all the time and not better at all even though the covid itself is gone. It affects a lot of children and should not be underestimated.

My older children who are 18 and 12 have had both their doses of Pfizer and didn’t catch covid off her at all. Neither did I (and she sleeps in my bed). The jabs work.

The reason we are out of the danger compared to other countries is because of the vaccine.
The longer the virus stays in the body, more damage it may cause. And vaccine can prevent that, even though it's less effective against omicron for transmission.
If we have head start or advantage for our children, we don't hesitate to take it. It goes the same for illness. If there are any way to increase the chance of better outcome, there's no question for me.
My dc is double vaxxed. No side effects at all. And haven't caught it yet, despite being in a huge school.

I'd say go with whatever your gut instinct tells you. The balance between benefits and risk are so marginal with this age group that there's no obvious right or wrong decision. Trust your mothering Intuition .

Have your teens had covid?

Having had the infection counts as one vaccine (it's probably better), so one jab would be sufficient.

They haven't had Covid.
I am torn!
It looks like the risk with the second dose in the UK are much the same as the first dose because of our minimum 12 week gap.
So I am leaning towards going ahead as planned.

The threat of Omicron is not as great as it seemed

When will people get it into their heads that vaccinations are to protect other people just as much as ourselves?

Omicron hasn't been as destructive because lots of people have been fully vaccinated and because many of our old and vulnerable have already died in previous phases.

My gut said no.

My son has had covid twice before the second time just a sniffle.

No real benefit apart from easier travel. I’m not willing to vaccinate him for that reason.

My 12 year old has just had his second vaccine with no issues.

If they are both happy to go ahead then I would. Take their lead basically.

Absolutely encourage them to have second dose. All my teens have.

I caught covid omicron variant recently . It is not mild for everyone - as I'm
Cev I was very lucky to have already had 3 vaccines (2 & a booster), I would have been admitted to hospital without that help to fight it off. Has taken nearly 16 days already to begin to recover and start to clear covid. My children shook it off but both had 2 vaccine doses.

Others are right the risks of health issues are higher without it. But ofc you need to look at the research papers and reports yourself. I'm in a large group of medics and when the medics say definitely have it, you know you're in good company

When will people get it into their heads that vaccinations are to protect other people just as much as ourselves?

It is not our children's job to protect others.

@Blubells

When will people get it into their heads that vaccinations are to protect other people just as much as ourselves?

It is not our children's job to protect others.

So why do we vaccinate babies then?

@Blubells

When will people get it into their heads that vaccinations are to protect other people just as much as ourselves?

It is not our children's job to protect others.

There are many vaccination campaigns that depend on populations not particularly at risk of the disease getting vaccinated,

Of course it isn't our "children's job to protect others" but living in a society where preventable infectious diseases are rife is also incredibly detrimental.

This isn't a comment specifically on coronavirus vaccines but I do think these kinds of points show a misunderstanding of vaccination programmes and what life was like before them.

Second dose provides most of the protection. I would strongly recommend it for teen girls.

So why do we vaccinate babies then?

Mainly to protect them, the babies.