How should we deal with the groups who refuse to have the vaccine?

Thank you MOnica, I’m not 70 yet so a few years to go yet. My GP surgery is pretty good at calling people for checks and vaccines but it’s good to be aware.

Vaccination should be a requirement of anyone starting a new job as a carer. Along with the inevitable travel restrictions, it would put pressure on people to comply.

Platforms like facebook and instagram have a lot to answer for in allowing the peddling of antivaccination misinformation.

As we're not in a position yet to give everyone the vaccine right away it seems moot to complain that some people don't choose to have it. Many of them will come round when it is proved to have no side affects.

What is definitely going to make them dig their heels in is being told they MUST have it.

And no-one has ever suggested that 100% compliance is needed for the vaccine to work. Have they?

Who's we?

They say those vaccinated still have to social distance, still have a small chance of contracting the virus, and can still pass it on. So why would a vaccination certificate be more sensible than a negative test?

JenniferEccles

What is particularly surprising is that large numbers of black and other ethnic groups are refusing the vaccine, (around 70%) despite the fact that they are the ones most likely to be badly affected by covid.

Under those circumstances I would have expected the take up to be very high amongst those people.

Could it be that they don't trust what they are being told - our maybe anything they hear from the government, I wonder.

Many who don' t listen to the government will however listen to their community leaders.

At the end of the day I don't think there will be significant numbers not having the jab.

In the USA Blossoming they reccomend getting the Shingles vaccine at 50 unless there are contraindications.

There are two different ones and I don't know the difference I'm afraid but one has been going for maybe 15 years as M0nica says and the other is quite new (2016/2017?).

I know the UK only offers one sort. I'm guessing the older one.

Jaffacake2

I am very unsure about having the vaccine due to having anaphylaxis to many drugs and foods. I have read about the different vaccines and have been told that I can be resuscitated if I react severely.
Difficult isn't it ? Do I risk getting covid which probably would go badly as I have severe asthma or do I risk going into anaphylactic shock with the vaccine ?
What would you do ?

i would discuss it with my doctor, and if no objections, would have it at a hospital with an emergency dept.

You can get a shingles vaccine before you are 70 in the UK if you pay privately, but it’s expensive - about £200 I think.

Shingrix, the new vaccine is not licensed here, but you can get it nonetheless through private clinics, it is widely advertised - presumably even more expensive as there is a worldwide shortage.

jaffacake I am very unsure about having the vaccine due to having anaphylaxis to many drugs and foods. I have read about the different vaccines and have been told that I can be resuscitated if I react severely

Whoever is giving you your vaccination will take your medical history and you’ll be able to tell them of your concerns. I’d be concerned too.
But I think it’s only the Pfizer vaccine which is potentially a problem.
I’d have no qualms about asking what the centre has in place to deal with anaphylaxis should it occur.

I’m sure with your history you’d be treated with the utmost care.

www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4780

annodomini

Why, I wonder, is the shingles vaccination available only to the 70 - 80 age bracket. I've known lots of people who have had shingles at much earlier ages. My sister had it in her 40s and has had recurrences occasionally since - now in her 70s, I don't know if it would be worthwhile for her to have the jab now.

Could this be because, as with some other illnesses, shingles can be much worse in older people?

Sparkling As you can still be a carrier and get covid, albeit possibly a milder version with the vaccine, I would have thought that getting a negative test ever time you travel back and forth would be a better option ..as long as they bring down the ridiculously inflated price of these tests of course !

Sorry... I haven’t read any other posts, just answering Jennifer. I’m assuming you mean people who just refuse it, rather than those who have health worries which might prevent them, or simply can’t get to the vaccine centre.

I think they should be marked with indelible ink, and told they may not be able to be treated if become unwell. I’m assuming most people who’ve had the vaccine would be protected against them, but there may be a few who aren’t. We need to be able to recognise who they are.

Maybe we could get them to wear special badges on their clothing and make them stay in special camps?

Get a grip.

Alegrias1

Maybe we could get them to wear special badges on their clothing and make them stay in special camps?

Get a grip.

Well said, alegrias.

Kinda scary when extremism shows its face on GN.

Alegrias1

Maybe we could get them to wear special badges on their clothing and make them stay in special camps?

Get a grip.

toadinthehole...presume you are joking or being sarcastic?

Alegrias1

Maybe we could get them to wear special badges on their clothing and make them stay in special camps?

Get a grip.

Well said Alegrias1.
ToadintheHole, would you also apply this indelible ink rule to children who have not received all their vaccinations??

Presumably the people who refuse the vaccine are not bothered about others or the NHS. I expect they will still be treated by the NHS and their children educated in school!

FindingNemo15

Presumably the people who refuse the vaccine are not bothered about others or the NHS. I expect they will still be treated by the NHS and their children educated in school!

I doubt it is that they are not bothered about others or about the NHS. I suspect the think they have valid reasons for refusing the vaccine, such as not trusting the government (that's a guess) because they are being told the West is systemically racist.

Toadinthehole If we were to carry out your idea of stamping the hands of the non-vaccinated with indelible ink, we'd have to catch them first. I can't see them dutifully lining up to be stamped as anti-socials.

Maybe it is the hands of the vaccinated that should be stamped, to show that they are conforming, like a pass-out to let someone back into the disco? They could wave them as they go through airport security. (Not a serious suggestion, btw, in case anyone is poised to denounce me)

Not sure whether to laugh or cry at some comments!

The flu vaccination programme has been in operation for decades and yet, in the UK, the uptake of the flu vaccine in the 65+ age group is only 75% (up from 72% last year) - ONS numbers. Flu and flu-related conditions such as pneumonia kill tens of thousands of people each year (and hundreds of thousands worldwide). I have never heard of anyone calling for compulsory flu vaccination and sanctions against those who aren't vaccinated.

I think it is terrible that people a red not told about the shingles vaccine I got shingles at 74 .and had no ideas there was a vaccine .
I had numbness and pain in my side for a long time besides awful itching .it should be publicised more and notices in Drs surgeries

Many BAME people will have in in-built suspicion of vaccinations, probably as a result of the dreadful use of Afro-Americans some years back.