Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

Anyone else feeling pressured into getting the vaccine? I’m one of two people in my office who don’t have the vaccine. We are the youngest (and healthiest) and are eligible due to our employment. My coworkers make us wear a mask while they don’t when together and constantly pass comments to us.

Now seeing on the news Rutgers is requiring it for all students. So many places want proof of a vaccine (or negative test) to go there. I’m feeling pressured into getting it even tho I’m not comfortable. I wanted to wait a while and see any effects and honestly let people who need it get it. I’m just not ready.

Am I the only one who feels like an outcast now?!?!

Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

You should never do anything you do not want to do or are not comfortable doing. But , your co-workers are correct in having you wear masks. Actually everyone should still be wearing masks.

Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

I'm not in that situation since I work from home and can't get it for another few months b/c of the chemo I was on, but......
Everyone should still be wearing a mask - whether or not they've been vaccinated. Getting the shot doesn't mean you won't get it. It just means you probably won't die from it (like a flu shot). So you can still pass it to others.
If you decide you want to wait on the shot - people shouldn't really know since everyone should be wearing masks until the numbers go WAY low.

Re: Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

Nobody pressures me into anything.
If someplace requires a vaccine or negative test just get a test until you are comfortable with the vaccine.
But I can't see places requiring a vaccine to enter just yet as many people are still not eligible to get the vaccine (myself included). Maybe in the future, but as of now that's not fair.

Also, it's none of their business if you got it or not.
My answer would be that I don't discuss my health decisions with anyone but my doctor.
People are annoying AF

And yes, just because you get vaccinated doesn't mean you can stop wearing a mask just yet- so they need to wear it anyway

Message edited 3/24/2021 8:34:39 PM.

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Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

Fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks with other fully vaccinated people.

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FYI_ CDC on Masks & Vaccinations

For now, fully vaccinated people can gather indoors without physical distancing or wearing masks with:

- Other people who are fully vaccinated
- Unvaccinated people from one other household, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19

Until more is known, fully vaccinated people should continue to wear masks and stay 6 feet apart from other people in other settings, like when they are in public or visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households.

So, technically, your coworkers should still be wearing masks if you & other unvaccinated people are there. If it is just you, technically it is ok for none of you to wear masks.

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Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

I am fully vaccinated and always wear my mask, your co workers should be doing the same.

Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

I got it - I didn't feel pressured to do so and don't judge those who don't want to do it.

My rationale was that it's going to be the easiest way to start getting things back to normal and it's going to be necessary to do certain things in the future (either that or testing).

But I understand it's a personal decision and wouldn't fault anyone for thinking otherwise. Your coworkers can request that you wear masks (since that seems to be their comfort level) but they have no right to pressure you into getting it.

Message edited 3/24/2021 9:26:10 PM.

Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

Who cares? I got the vaccine bc I wanted to. My husband doesn't want to get it but I'm not gonna grab him by the balls about it. The problem with people today is that no one can just worry about themselves...

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They are being unrealistic

At work, everyone should be wearing a mask. Vaccinated or unvaccinated. You can still get Covid and transmit if either way. The workplace should be kept as a public space - everyone in masks.

It’s none of anyone’s business if you have or plan on getting vaccinated. It’s very new and a personal choice (at the moment) they should be ashamed of themselves for acting that way

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Message edited 3/24/2021 10:57:11 PM.

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Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

It is absolutely my business if you don’t want to get a vaccine if it means I still have to wear a mask, because you decided not to get vaccinated. Once the vaccine is available to everyone, no one should have to wear a mask, even if they think you can still transmit the virus.

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Message edited 3/24/2021 11:51:34 PM.

Re: Vaccine ‘peer pressure’

Posted by LittleDiva

Posted by MarathonKnitter

Posted by LuckyStar

Fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks with other fully vaccinated people.

this is what i heard and read.
my friends and i (a group of three) are waiting for the last one of us to get the second shot so we can go out for brunch together.

but... as far as the OP...
i'm sorry that your coworkers are being jerks about it. it's none of their business. you should do what makes you comfortable.

Yes this is part of their sarcastic comments. If we would get vaccinated it would make things ‘easier’ since no one needs a mask it’s like high school behavior. We walk in the room and the stupid comments start up.

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I don't agree with the snippy comments and constant chatter about it because that's unprofessional and doesn't have any place in that setting.

Your phrasing "My coworkers make us wear a mask while they don't" is odd but I also don't know the rules of your workplace. At my school, the person I share an office with is also vaccinated and we go maskless when together alone. Basically, vaccinated people can share private spaces together maskless but otherwise it's masks for all.

Your vaccinated coworkers should really be wearing masks around you but someone in charge at your workplace should settle the matter.

I understand you've made the choice to forgo the vaccine but I hope you can understand why that means that you will experience a higher likelihood of needing to wear a mask versus those who got the vaccine because you won't be in the situation I described above. Yes, your coworkers are wrong, but you would also be wrong if you took off your mask, and you can only control your own actions.

Hopefully a higher up can clarify the rules.

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To answer the question you actually asked, yes I’m feeling the peer pressure. I am being asked almost daily if I have an appointment scheduled (or if I got my first dose). Before the entire office staff became eligible I was asked what my weight was and it was suggested that based on BMI I would qualify for the vaccine.

I’m on the office reopening committee. Our next meeting, and first since everyone became eligible is next week. I plan on bringing up confidentiality of the staff’s personal health decisions - not just with whether or not they choose to get or decline the vaccine, but also underlying health conditions (like allergies) which makes vaccination risky, or contraindicated.

So far, I have not been made aware of any snarky remarks being made - but I’ve been at this job long enough to know that just because I haven’t heard them, doesn’t mean they aren’t being made. I know my co-workers. There are some that I am sure are doing their best to figure out who has, and hasn’t gotten the vaccine so they can gossip about it.

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In the latest survey of employers 91% said they want their employees to be vaccinated. It is also not against the law for an employer or school to say you must be vaccinated to work or go here. With that said, I do understand hesitation. My kids are not old enough to receive the vaccine, but I know that the pharma companies are testing for their ages now. I will wait until I see what people who are having babies today or get pregnant after vaccinated end up before having my kids get the shot.

I will say, all of my friends and family are or plan to vaccinate. I am not sure I would be comfortable being around an adult that refuses to vaccinate without wearing a mask for both of us.