Young people in Leeds from the ages of 18-29 haven’t yet followed government guidelines of getting both vaccine doses within 12 weeks of each other. Records from gov.uk show that only 69% of women and 62.2% of men aged 18-29 in the North East and Yorkshire have received both doses of the vaccine.
A study done by the Office for Natural Statistics shows that the main reason for young adults not getting vaccinated is because of their distrust in the vaccine and in the government especially given the recent Christmas party at 10 Downing St.
Student medical nurse Philippa Iddon has argued that everyone should be getting their vaccine “even though COVID19 doesn’t necessarily target young people, it is still important to protect those who are targeted like the old and vulnerable. Vaccines are extremely important for building up immunity against dangerous diseases like corona virus.”
Danny Palmer, a student at Leeds Beckett University said “I’ve only had my first vaccine but I didn’t really want to get vaccinated at all because I don’t know what’s in it and have heard so many bad reaction stories.
“Besides, given the rise of cases now, it evidently doesn’t protect you from anything. I felt really pressured by my peers to get it and won’t be having another one again for now.”
Richard Wynder, another student from Leeds, said that the reason he hasn’t received his second dose of the vaccine because he doesn’t trust the government. “I had my first dose so I could go abroad in summer but never got round to having my second because I’m not vulnerable and neither is anyone I know. I don’t trust the government now because They had a Christmas party after telling us all to social distance again. It’s just double standards so I’m not getting the second dose.”
Despite young peoples lack of interest in getting fully vaccinated, front line NHS workers such as Samantha Breeds urge everyone to get it immediately so that we can carry on as normal. “We need to build up herd immunity and protection in numbers. The more people that get vaccinated, the less the virus will spread which will take so much pressure off of us who work for the NHS in community hospitals.”
