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Mental health

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Original poster

The unvaccinated will slowly be left behind?

42 replies

MTBer2021 · 19/01/2021 19:12

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?

OP posts:

TheGonnagle · 19/01/2021 20:31

I’ve been shielding for most of the last 12 months, a couple of months in the summer were relaxed but March-July and November-today I have been at home. Do you really begrudge me the vaccine that I’ve been called for on Thursday? Or the fact that it might allow me to leave the house/return to teaching/ see my family and friends? It’s been a lonely and isolating experience, not to mention a little wearing.

Original poster

MTBer2021 · 19/01/2021 20:34

NeverTrustARabbit what is self-centred about applying to become a HCA or pharmacy delivery person, both of which are vacancies being advertised currently near me? Or are key workers now self-centred?

OP posts:

endofthelinefinally · 19/01/2021 20:35

Some of us have been shielding since March. Not even able to buy our own food, never mind eat out to help out, see our families.
One of my children is dead, I haven't seen my other children since April. I am waiting patiently for my turn for the vaccine and praying I don't catch this new variant while I am waiting. I have turned down my cervical smear and mammogram because I am scared.
Everyone will get offered a vaccine eventually.

HelloMissus · 19/01/2021 20:35

I think the young and fit shouldn’t be worried too much about catching it. The vast majority will get a very mild dose.

But for people worried still, they can continue to socially distance. It will be some time before all restrictions are lifted.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 19/01/2021 20:36

Please think about what puts the ECV and CV people into this higher priority group. I'd happily swap my physical illnesses to go down to the priority group for my age. Sooner or later you will go back to normal. My disability will be with me for good.

RaininSummer · 19/01/2021 20:36

Well I hope the vaccinated won't be selfish tossers to protect the rest of us whilst we await our turn.

AmoElCafe · 19/01/2021 20:36

@MTBer2021

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.

I’m talking about it as a general attitude... for months on year and elsewhere people have been telling others forcibly that it’s not about them, it’s about protecting the vulnerable. As soon as the vaccine was approved the overall attitude seemed to shift to ‘I need the vaccine for x, y and z reasons’. It was a really marked difference. Anyway this is the mental health topic and you’re obviously struggling (as am I) so I will leave it there.

Original poster

MTBer2021 · 19/01/2021 20:37

randomer I don't understand your comment.

TheGonnagle I absolutely do not begrudge you the vaccine. I simply feel bleak about my own upcoming 9 months or so and was posting here for support.

OP posts:

Namechangesensitiveinlaws · 19/01/2021 20:37

NeverTrustARabbit what is self-centred about applying to become a HCA or pharmacy delivery person, both of which are vacancies being advertised currently near me? Or are key workers now self-centred?

Most key workers are not changing into the job just top get quicker access to the vaccine

DaVinyl · 19/01/2021 20:37

Seriously, you'd change jobs just to go up the vaccine queue? I'm sure they need cleaners in hospitals at the moment. You'd be top of the list then. You just sound like you've got FOMO. You should be happy that those more vulnerable than you may finally be able to go out and enjoy themselves again, not grumble that they should be staying in so as not to upset you.

I had mine yesterday as I work in a covid-ridden hospital (not frontline) and I won't be staying in until all the low risk population have been jabbed. It's really selfish to expect that.

foxhat · 19/01/2021 20:40

I don't think there are going to be different rules depending on whether you've had the vaccine or not are there? Many people who needed the vaccine early had to stay in, or felt they had to, when others were going out in the summer so I think it's just swings and roundabouts really.

NeverTrustaRabbit · 19/01/2021 20:42

I believe that you should apply to be a carer, phlebotomist or an HCA etc because you want to help and support the community/vulnerable......not because it leapfrogs you to the front of the queue for a vaccine. It is that which makes the choice self centred couple with the "woe is me" attitude

middleager · 19/01/2021 20:44

I may not be in a priority category, but at 48, I'm just two years younger than a 50 year old, yet potentially have to wait an additional half a year or so.

45 to 50 seems to be a forgotten category and as somebody with school age children who also goes out to work, I feel nervous.

TheGonnagle · 19/01/2021 20:44

It’s been made pretty clear that we should continue to shield even once we have had the vaccine, I don’t think there’ll be a headlong rush to the airport!
Please don’t feel bleak MTBer2021, we’ve all come through a year of this now, just hang in there for a another couple of months. Once we get through to April and the longer warmer days things will start to improve rapidly. Have a little daydream and make a list of the places you hope to visit, people to catch up with, pub gardens to sit in. Spring is coming.

NeverTrustaRabbit · 19/01/2021 20:49

@Namechangesensitiveinlaws ....oh and both my DP and I are key workers. He has had his vaccination ( NHS). I am happy to wait for mine (I'm in the over 59's group) as I can work from home and would rather those more in need than I receive a vaccine.

Yes, restrictions are frustrating but I'm a grown up and am capable of waiting a few extra weeks to see friends and family because I think about the impact on the wider society rather than stamping my feet because other, vulnerable people, are getting a vaccine sooner than me.

Winederlust · 20/01/2021 08:35

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.
100% this.

You keep mentioning 'no risk'...there will never be no risk - even with a vaccine, Covid is here to stay. We will live with it just like we live with flu and all the other similar illnesses. This focus on eliminating absolutely all risk does nobody any good because that's not how life works.

There almost certainly won't be separate rules for the vaccinated and non- vaccinated on a going about your everyday business level. The rules will be relaxed gradually for everyone.

A matter of weeks ago, we went into a new lockdown and it felt like there was no end in sight. Now you know you're due to get the vaccine by the autumn. That's got to be a positive right?

Lisalisaandcultjam · 06/02/2021 11:40

@middleager

I may not be in a priority category, but at 48, I'm just two years younger than a 50 year old, yet potentially have to wait an additional half a year or so.

45 to 50 seems to be a forgotten category and as somebody with school age children who also goes out to work, I feel nervous.

This is similar to how I feel. I'm 47 this year. I also have mild asthma which isn't counted and I have quite complex mental health issues but I'm not sure if they are even counted so I'm waiting to find out. I am really genuinely worried about various risk factors I have but may not be classed as severe enough. I'm also hearing of more and more of our age group being seriously ill or dying which is a worry. One of my friends works in the local ICU and says it is far younger patients they have this time. We as a family have been extremely strict throughout the past year and I commonly see the majority of the older residents in my street bending rules and doing whatever they please as they have done throughout. Some refuse to wear masks and lie about being exempt and think it's some huge joke.

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