“Who knows for sure that he or she will get a vaccine?” social studies teacher Jennifer van de Velde-de Vos asks the class with 24 students. Eleven students raise their hands. Esther explains her choice. “I mainly do this to protect the people around me.”

Mees, a boy with black curly hair, agrees. “We can transmit the virus to older people. After vaccination, the chances of that happening are a lot smaller. The sooner the pandemic ends, the better.” He does not understand the choice of his grandparents, who do not want to get vaccinated. He can, however, have an open conversation with them.

Nienke, who has already received an invitation for vaccination because of asthma, especially sees the advantages of vaccination. “Young people usually don’t get very sick from corona, but they can infect others without knowing it. We want to be able to do fun things, such as travelling abroad. That is why corona must be eradicated as soon as possible. With knowledge and technology, this can be done much faster.”

Marit has no problem with a corona jab as well. “I’ve been vaccinated before, so I will take a shot again.” Jesse points to the alternative: “Otherwise, you have to get tested if you want to go to a festival or party.” The class grins. “Party animal .”

Health damage

Teacher Van de Velde uses her last social studies lesson before the summer holidays to discuss vaccination among teenagers. She shows a film on a projection screen. Minister De Jonge explains why he (also) chooses to offer healthy teenagers a shot. “The health damage caused by the virus is not so great in young people,” he says. “But that is a group that sometimes ends up in the hospital or gets Long Covid.” In the Netherlands, one hundred young people between the age of 12 and 17 have been hospitalized with Covid-19 so far. Half of them were was previously perfectly healthy. Three young people died .

Side effects

Three students from the class have doubts about taking a vaccine. Daniel: “I have no idea what’s in the vaccine.” Julia: “The vaccine was made so quickly. Long-term side effects are unknown.” Still, she considers getting a shot. “I want to go back to Indonesia, where I come from. That will be difficult if you are not vaccinated.”

Jarno is wary of a shot because of the short-term side effects. “In our family, everyone reacts strongly to vaccines in general. My siblings can be ill for a month after a shot. I expect no different with the corona vaccine.”

Two students indicate that they will not take the vaccine. Ruben: “I do not see the need for it. The death rate among young people is so low.” Angelle prefers to wait and see what is what . “I don’t want it now, but maybe in a few years. It is still uncertain what a shot will do to you. My family is also against it.”

Nadine stands up for conscientious objectors. “If they don’t want a vaccine based on the Bible, you have to respect that.” Nienke disagrees. “I think religious objections are a weak argument. Because it is difficult to explain why vaccination should not be allowed.” Mees: “You can get vaccinated out of love for your neighbour. What can be said against that?” When the fire of the discussion flares high up, Van de Velde intervenes. She points out that people with a hand on the Bible can be both for or against vaccination. “It’s important to respect each other.”

Life experience

The social studies teacher shows a statement on the screen: “I think my parents’ opinion about vaccination is very important”. Nine students who agree with this statement walk to a sign on the left at the front of the class with “AGREE” written in capital letters. The remaining fifteen students crowd at the right-hand board that reads “DISAGREE”.

Nelleke explains her choice for the left board. “Parents have more life experience and therefore know what is best for you.” Jarno disagrees. “My parents know even less about the corona vaccine than I do.” Marit: “I am still in control of myself, and I can choose for myself.”

In the video, outgoing minister De Jonge explains that young people always have the last word when choosing whether to get vaccinated. They decide for themselves from the age of 16; from 12 to 15, this usually takes place in consultation with the parents, but even then, the young person’s wish is decisive.

Infertile

Most students agree with the statement, “I’m afraid of the long-term consequences of the vaccine”. Jarno is one of seven who disagree. “I’ll see that then.” A burst of laughter follows. Dico trusts the regulators. “They will not send vaccines to the Netherlands without them having been properly investigated.”

Marit is afraid of the long-term consequences of Pfizer’s vaccine. “I’ve heard it can make you infertile, and I’d really like to have children.” Half the class laughes. Van de Velde, serious again: “Where did you hear that?” “In the hallway.”

Six students agree with the statement that the government indirectly forces the corona vaccine. Elselien: “If you are vaccinated, it is easier to go abroad.” Ruben disagrees with the statement. “Vaccination is encouraged but not required.”

Outbreaks

One argument in favour of teen vaccination is the prevention of outbreaks at school. However, the students, nine of whom have had corona, have so far not experienced that they had to go home due to an outbreak. “If the lockdown had not come, it would have happened,” someone responds. “There were also a lot of infections around the Christmas holidays.”

Mees, the boy with the curls, knows a friend at another school where the whole class has been at home because of a corona outbreak.

Megaphone

Van de Velde concludes the lesson with a spiritual lessonapplication. “It is the Lord Who rules all things, even a pandemic. In the Bible, we read of plagues He sent to call the people to repentance. A pandemic is like a megaphone: (do) repent. Did we learn that too?”