The unvaccinated will slowly be left behind?

[MTBer2021]

I feel so despondent today. Trying not to project too far into the future but it's hard not to. I don't deal with uncertainty well.

Vaccines now being rolled out but exactly what protection the offer especially in terms of passing the virus on. Those of us destined to get vaccinated last of all will slowly feel more and more excluded compared to the vaccinated. You can imagine the scenario. A groups of mates or relatives who are all vaccinated based on age or professional role all getting together at someone's house or a pub and acting as normal while those not vaccinated and faced with months and months more wait are excluded.

The people I want to see most of all are family and they're all either over 60 or frontline workers leaving just me and DP to wait for a vaccination around the autumn assuming predicted timings play out that way. It's so depressing. Loads of DC's school mates have both parents in the early vaccine categories so no doubt the kids of those families will result socialising very soon too. I know the rules are that distancing will have to stay in place until everyone is vaccinated but so we really think this will happen? Many have struggled to follow the rules properly even when they themselves were unvaccinated and at risk. I'm not sure being vaccinated will make them more cautious?

I really don't know how much longer I can deal with this situation. Anyone else? Or can anyone offer some positive thoughts?

If you're not in one of the early categories it means you're at lower risk of severe covid. That's a very good thing.

Lower risk yes, but not no risk. There are enough people who have been quite unlikely on paper to die from Covid or have long Covid but still did. And quite of older people have had mild symptoms or have recovered from a more serious bout. The whole thing is a bit of Russian roulette.

It is indeed. But the alternative to doing a phased rollout as supply allows is to wait until there's a jab for everyone and then starting, which would surely result in more deaths.

@MissConductUS

If you're not in one of the early categories it means you're at lower risk of severe covid. That's a very good thing.

I agree. I’d far rather be in your shoes than someone offered the vaccine soon

What’s the alternative? Vaccinate you earlier than elderly/vulnerable people so you don’t feel left out?
I am low risk. I won’t be getting the vaccine for a long time. That’s fine, I don’t need it as much as others do.
I’d rather see all the elderly/vulnerable in the world vaccinated before low risk people in this country are.

Yes but my point is more about the impact of another 9 or 10 months of restrictions on us who have been rule following throughout while the vaccinated are off on holidays abroad and re-establishing family relationships and friendships.

I just hope those who were vulnerable whether through age or occupation before and are much less vulnerable once vaccinated have some regard for keeping the unvaccinated safe when the time comes.

@MTBer2021

Yes but my point is more about the impact of another 9 or 10 months of restrictions on us who have been rule following throughout while the vaccinated are off on holidays abroad and re-establishing family relationships and friendships.

Well yeah, it’s going to be shit. But genuinely what is the alternative?

So far the vaccinated still have to follow rules. I haven't seen anything to indicate that there will be different rules applying. I get that you are feeling despondent but the way this plays out might not be the way you are imagining.

@MTBer2021 I’m sure that won’t be the case. Firstly If they start allowing socialising and holidays etc I’ll be the first one down the pub and I’m in the last group to be vaccinated! The tiny risk to me will be vastly outweighed by the benefits. Also, community levels should be lower as it will be summer and also with so many vaccinated there will be an element of herd immunity so you won’t come in contact with covid so much. What will hold you back and leave you out is the fear of covid when in fact the risk is very very small to you.

@MTBer2021

Yes but my point is more about the impact of another 9 or 10 months of restrictions on us who have been rule following throughout while the vaccinated are off on holidays abroad and re-establishing family relationships and friendships.

But those people who are being vaccinated now have been vulnerable the whole time and haven’t been able to visit the pubs when they were legit open over the summer, for example

It’s interesting the scenario you describe as this is the life most shielded people have been experiencing for almost a year now .... food for thought !
But to address the true meaning of your post of course it won’t be like that if you haven’t had the vaccine by the point we’re allowed to mingle again you’ll be so low risk it will be negligible !

AmoElCafe at an individual level, changing job to something that would give me earlier access to a vaccine is one thing that has crossed my mind.

@MTBer2021

Yes but my point is more about the impact of another 9 or 10 months of restrictions on us who have been rule following throughout while the vaccinated are off on holidays abroad and re-establishing family relationships and friendships.

From Easter to August/September will see long days and better weather and mixing outside will be a lot more encouraged, for one thing.

There was plenty of mixing last July and August, so it'll be allowed. The question will be whether you want to hold off or not until you've had the vaccine. You won't have to shield until you do.

Cupcakegirl13 I have every sympathy for those who had to shield. I have close family who were in the CV category although not needing to shield. It is been awful for them.

I understand OP. Of course the elderly and vulnerable need to be prioritised, it is the only right way to do it - and they will still have to abide by restrictions - but i do admit to feeling a twinge of envy at those who are already protected and moving towards a more normal life while the rest of us have many months to wait.

As you say low risk is not no risk and while, as I said, I agree that we should come last, it’s still hard not to worry about catching it and potentially being really ill / having long term effects etc...

The currently vaccinated may find that they require a third dose by the winter as no one knows how long the immunity will last, no one knows what will and won't be allowed next month let alone six months time.

@MTBer2021

AmoElCafe at an individual level, changing job to something that would give me earlier access to a vaccine is one thing that has crossed my mind.

Well yeah, that helps you. Not the millions of others who won’t be vaccinated though. Honestly I’m genuinely gobsmacked at all those who have claiming to be staying home to protect the vulnerable and are now clambering to the front of the vaccine queue!

NextWinter that fills me with dread tbh, given that realistically low risk people like me won't even get a 1st vaccine until autumn. If the currently vaccinated start needing a booster by then I think we'll be screwed and unprotected for even longer.

I am like you in that I won't be vaccinated for ages as I don't sit in any of the priority groups. I will be pleased if those who have had the vaccine are able to get out and do more, why should they have to stop because I have to? Not to mention the fact that them doing so will help the country recover financially so there will be more to return to once we are all covered.

@MTBer2021

AmoElCafe at an individual level, changing job to something that would give me earlier access to a vaccine is one thing that has crossed my mind.

What a self centred view you have. You are considered low risk, be grateful for that. Think about the greater good for humanity rather than wallowing in self pity.

As a pp has said, there doesn't appear to be any significant relaxation in the rules for the vaccinated so you are perhaps worrying pointlessly anyway

@NeverTrustaRabbit - this is the mental health topic.

Changing job? How ties that work for 'entitled pensioners'? What a horrible attitude

Once the most vulnerable are vaccinated I really don't think it will be a case of them all out living their best lives in pubs, restaurants, holidays and concerts while everyone else is stuck at home not being allowed to do anything.

I imagine as the vaccine rollout increases restrictions will begin to be eased for everyone and those in a low risk (as yet unvaccinated) group would also be able to be out and about.

I really think you are overthinking this!

I'm sure most people in low risks groups would gladly get back to some sort of normality while they wait their turn.

AmoElCafe are talking about me personally or all professional and job groups now pushing for vaccine priortisation? Once CV, older people and front line health and social care workers are done, does the vaccine rollout become less about protecting the vulnerable and more about restarting the economy (hospitality and retail) and normalising education? Which is good but is not really to do with the vulnerable at least not in the same sense, apart from children.