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Original poster

Child's vaccinations

56 replies

BooseysMom · 30/07/2022 09:55

We were contacted by NHS to invite DS(8) to get vaccinated but he wouldn't go. Has anyone else's DC refused to go? I recall the government saying vaccinations for children weren't really necessary and then suddenly they send our texts, letters, etc asking them to be jabbed. Should I be forcing him to have it? I've got covid currently and it's no joke.
Thanks

OP posts:
Frosty1000 · 01/08/2022 08:53

I've been contacted for my 7 year old but at the time we were in our 12 week window after having it. He wasn't well for about 48 hours but definitely not like us vaccinated adults had it as we were very unwell.

So at the moment I'm stalling until autumn as it's probably more beneficial then. However I'm not 100% about it and I'm sure he won't go.

FromEden · 01/08/2022 09:25

There is no reason for kids to get jabbed, unless they are in a high risk group. The statistics reflect this.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 01/08/2022 09:33

Since when 8 years old, or any small children has say in if he/she should get vaccinated? That's parent's responsibility.
If my child said they didn't want vaccine at that age, I would explain to him why he need it. It's no brainer.
Of course it's a different story, and assume it's the case, that the parents are unsure about it too, about getting a child vaccinated.

Mennex · 01/08/2022 09:37

Yeah refusal at 8 wouldn't have been a thing in our house either. Not really a thing now they're teenagers ...

Anyway, I had my 11y old vaccinated mainly because he is near 12, the age the travel restrictions seem to come in, so I wanted the whole family double/triple jabbed so no one had to do extra tests, get in extra queues at airports etc as it was a right pain in the arse last year.

He also had COVID before that and was ill for a week, nothing worrying and nowhere near as bad as I was.

I still like the idea of as many COVID antibodies being in their system as possible for when/if it mutates in a nastier direction this winter.

MissyB1 · 01/08/2022 09:40

Why is it optional? At that age healthcare decisions are made by the parents.

pinklavenders · 01/08/2022 10:50

Surely an 8 year old will do as he is told by his parents?!

pinklavenders · 01/08/2022 10:51

What else does your 8 year old refuse to do?

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 01/08/2022 10:51

Smart child.

pinklavenders · 01/08/2022 10:55

Not sure what is 'smart' about ignoring your parents' recommendations?

Does he also refuse to brush his teeth? Refuse to go to school?

Tha · 01/08/2022 10:55

If my child said they didn't want vaccine at that age, I would explain to him why he need it.

Unless they are extremely high risk then there is literally no reason they would need it.

I can't believe people still haven't clocked on to this yet...

Beetlewings · 01/08/2022 10:56

My 11 was called and was all set to have it, then his dad (anti vaxxer) got to him and told him all sorts of scare stories. Now he's refusing. Obviously I can't make him have it at his age he can decide for himself, but it grinds my gears that his dad has elbowed in to something he knows nothing factual about

Davyjones · 01/08/2022 11:00

What’s his current Rossi from complications from covid?

how much does the vaccine improve on that risk?

What is the risk from the vaccine?

Is the benefit with the risk?

these are the important questions
so since my child’s risk is around 1% and the vaccine will bring it up so little I didn’t get one

you’ve been vaccinated right? but still got covid very bad? my husband had it, none of us are vaccinated, me and her had no symptoms at all

wed be fools to increase our risk of harm by having the shot

it’s passed. 70 year old unvaccinated dad had it recently too and he’s also fine

Davyjones · 01/08/2022 11:03

Davyjones · 01/08/2022 11:00

What’s his current Rossi from complications from covid?

how much does the vaccine improve on that risk?

What is the risk from the vaccine?

Is the benefit with the risk?

these are the important questions
so since my child’s risk is around 1% and the vaccine will bring it up so little I didn’t get one

you’ve been vaccinated right? but still got covid very bad? my husband had it, none of us are vaccinated, me and her had no symptoms at all

wed be fools to increase our risk of harm by having the shot

it’s passed. 70 year old unvaccinated dad had it recently too and he’s also fine

Sorry
risk not Rossi

PortMac · 01/08/2022 11:05

Don't blame him. No point getting him vaxxed unless you don't want to be inconvenienced at the airport, which seems to be more important than long term health.

orangina01 · 01/08/2022 11:08

I think, OP, you answered your own question when you said you have it and your experience has been that "covid is no joke". As with any virus, some people are much worse affected, and you simply don't know if your child will also get it badly. My 11 yr old DC had Covid and was fine but watched their friends get it multiple times and many were much more ill with subsequent bouts. So they willingly got jabbed as they didn't want to go through that. My 5 Yr old got jabbed as they haven't had it and we would rather they had a mild case if they do, so they went with the 11 yr old and after two seconds of discomfort, were fine and pleased they had the jab. If you believe it's the right thing, do it. I don't talk to all my friends about the fact my children are vaccinated as some don't agree, that's fine, they make their own minds up and so do I. But I believe in the science behind vaccination for Covid so went ahead. Good luck whatever you decide!

pinklavenders · 01/08/2022 11:14

My 5 Yr old got jabbed as they haven't had it and we would rather they had a mild case if they do, so they went with the 11 yr old and after two seconds of discomfort, were fine and pleased they had the jab.

A 5 year does not understand the risks and benefits of the jab imo.

It should be the parents who decide what's in the child's best interest.

Ilovepotato · 01/08/2022 11:21

Me, my 4 year old and newborn all just had covid, 4 year old was sick for a day, then fine, baby had a temp for a day and then fine, I on the other hand was sick as a dog with all the symptoms for a full 2 weeks. I'm fully vaccinated, 4 year old and baby are not. I won't be getting them vaccinated, because I've witnessed them have covid and recover very quickly... that said if I hadn't, I may have considered it, as you don't know how each person will react to it.

LadyApplejack · 01/08/2022 11:21

Well I agree it's your decision as the parent. But I cannot understand why you'd push it onto a reluctant (presumably healthy?) child when stats show his covid risk is negligible.

orbitalcrisis · 01/08/2022 11:41

Honestly OP, why would you trust doctors and scientists who have literally spent decades studying this when you could listen to totally unqualified people on the internet?

Covid is dangerous, even for children. Explain this to your son.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 01/08/2022 12:00

I can't believe people still haven't clocked on to this yet...

Meh, I can't believe people still haven't clocked the meaning of vaccination yet.

MissyB1 · 01/08/2022 13:11

pinklavenders · 01/08/2022 10:50

Surely an 8 year old will do as he is told by his parents?!

Apparently not this one 🙄

Original poster
BooseysMom · 01/08/2022 14:29

Thanks for all your replies. I can't physically force him to have it..that would be abuse wouldn't it?!

And I tend to agree with this anyway...

Unless they are extremely high risk then there is literally no reason they would need it.

I can't believe people still haven't clocked on to this yet...

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 01/08/2022 14:40

BooseysMom · 01/08/2022 14:29

Thanks for all your replies. I can't physically force him to have it..that would be abuse wouldn't it?!

And I tend to agree with this anyway...

Unless they are extremely high risk then there is literally no reason they would need it.

I can't believe people still haven't clocked on to this yet...

Is it “abuse” to make him take a shower/ clean his teeth/ wear clean clothes/ take antibiotics for an infection. Have a cut knee cleaned?

ItsSnowJokes · 01/08/2022 14:46

My now 5 year old has been left with permanent tinnitus from catching covid last year. She had it again this year and wasn't as ill. She is now doubly vaccinated and I am glad I have done it. It is not only the initial illness it is how they are left afterwards. She wasn't that ill with the first bout, very tired for 6 weeks but not ill. But the tinnitus is likely to be lifelong and is very distressing for her. We have had ENT appointments and they can do nothing for her other than coping techniques.

ItsSnowJokes · 01/08/2022 14:47

BooseysMom · 01/08/2022 14:29

Thanks for all your replies. I can't physically force him to have it..that would be abuse wouldn't it?!

And I tend to agree with this anyway...

Unless they are extremely high risk then there is literally no reason they would need it.

I can't believe people still haven't clocked on to this yet...

What if he refuses boosters for tetanus, polio etc..... in the future? Will you let him not have those as well as in your eyes forcing him is abuse or does that only count towards the covid vaccine?