Antivaxer mum

I've been vaccinated twice - but I completely understand where your mum is coming from. Perhaps you could show some understanding rather than following the Branch Covidians dogma. We all have to be absolutely clear that this vaccine we have not the slightest clue what the long term effects are. Add to that that the entire covid narrative is utterly insane - again whilst I have been vaccinated, I totally understand why so many people refuse, and why they can feel that those that place their blind faith in what government and Twitter is telling them might be misguided and dangerous.

At the moment, the narrative seems to be moving toward vaccination every six months - forever. Who can possibly think that's a good idea?

I've been vaccinated twice - but I completely understand where your mum is coming from. Perhaps you could show some understanding rather than following the Branch Covidians dogma. We all have to be absolutely clear that this vaccine we have not the slightest clue what the long term effects are. Add to that that the entire covid narrative is utterly insane - again whilst I have been vaccinated, I totally understand why so many people refuse, and why they can feel that those that place their blind faith in what government and Twitter is telling them might be misguided and dangerous.

At the moment, the narrative seems to be moving toward vaccination every six months - forever. Who can possibly think that's a good idea?

Of course, I completely understand why people would be hesitant. And don't support vaccine mandates. But the thing is, she would rather waste £700 (we are not a rich family) and not see her ill mother than have one vaccine and get to see her family.

Is there any way that you can go on your own to visit your grandmother or travel with another relative who meets the vaccination requirements for overseas travel?
It is very unlikely that you will ever be able to persuade your mother to change her mind.
I don't agree with mandatory vaccine passports or facial coverings.

From her point of view you are asking is her long term health is worth £700.

I am 17 and the airport is in Bristol, some 200 miles away. Frolicking off to Spain alone for 10 days at Christmas is not a very good idea for several reasons. She doesnt let anyone else in the family get the vaccine so even if I had an irrationaly adventurous hit, border security would get suspicious. I dont support vaccine passports or dragging on the covid thing for much longer but as I mentioned above, one vaccine with incredibly low chance of long term side effects (that we know of so far) vs wasting 4 plane tickets and not seeing family we haven't seen in a long time

I am 17 and the airport is in Bristol, some 200 miles away. Frolicking off to Spain alone for 10 days at Christmas is not a very good idea for several reasons. She doesnt let anyone else in the family get the vaccine so even if I had an irrationaly adventurous hit, border security would get suspicious. I dont support vaccine passports or dragging on the covid thing for much longer but as I mentioned above, one vaccine with incredibly low chance of long term side effects (that we know of so far) vs wasting 4 plane tickets and not seeing family we haven't seen in a long time

At the moment, the narrative seems to be moving toward vaccination every six months - forever. Who can possibly think that's a good idea?

As far as I am aware, there is very little evidence for long term side effects of the vaccine. Do you think she is making the rational choice?

It is legal for a 17 year old to both get vaccinated and travel abroad without parental consent.
Although you probably should contact the airline or travel operator to find out their policies on whether they allow 17 years olds to travel abroad.

Have you quietly asked if anyone in your family who is over 16 wants to have a covid vaccine or travel to visit your grandmother with you?
When your mother is not at home and there is no risk of her overhearing.

It is legal for a 17 year old to both get vaccinated and travel abroad without parental consent.
Although you probably should contact the airline or travel operator to find out their policies on whether they allow 17 years olds to travel abroad.

Have you quietly asked if anyone in your family who is over 16 wants to have a covid vaccine or travel to visit your grandmother with you?
When your mother is not at home and there is no risk of her overhearing.

I just wanted to comment on how thoughtful and empathetic this reply was. I appreciate that you make no secret of your misgivings regarding COVID measures, but that you posted this nonetheless was striking.

How can there be any evidence of long term effects when the vaccine has only been around for a year?

I don't think this is a situation where one choice is any more rational than another, because the information is so incomplete. You either choose to put something unknown into your body against your will, or you assume the risk of not doing so. We're supposed to be free-willed adults in a liberal democracy. This choice should always be our own, and not under force, coercion or by gradually making life more and more difficult for people who choose otherwise.

Is your grandparent vaccinated?

We were going to go and see my deteriorating grandmother this Christmas but the government of her country mandated that all arrivals be vacinated. For any normal person this shouldn't be an issue but mum is completely anti vaccine, anti medicine, anti doctor. She has been looking at so many pseudoscientific lectures and is certain that vaccines are not only useless but also dangerous and gives people diseases.
Any time I try and challenge her, she gets incredibly angry and demands that I wake up.
That's £700 of plane tickets in the bin.
I may never see my grandmother again.

Volunteer Note: For advice, guidance and up-to-date information on Coronavirus/COVID-19, please check out the NHS, UK Government, and Mind (mental health) web-pages.

We were going to go and see my deteriorating grandmother this Christmas but the government of her country mandated that all arrivals be vacinated. For any normal person this shouldn't be an issue but mum is completely anti vaccine, anti medicine, anti doctor. She has been looking at so many pseudoscientific lectures and is certain that vaccines are not only useless but also dangerous and gives people diseases.
Any time I try and challenge her, she gets incredibly angry and demands that I wake up.
That's £700 of plane tickets in the bin.
I may never see my grandmother again.

Volunteer Note: For advice, guidance and up-to-date information on Coronavirus/COVID-19, please check out the NHS, UK Government, and Mind (mental health) web-pages.