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Original poster

Is anyone else still completely unvaccinated?

353 replies

Honeyhorse · 13/12/2021 08:09

I know this will probably cause arguments, but I’m just wondering who else is still completely unvaccinated like myself.
Mine is due to extreme anxiety and a needle phobia.
I’m not anti vaccination and I don’t think it’s a conspiracy theory or microchip etc.
I want to talk to my GP about how I’m feeling but I can’t get an appointment Sad
Now everyone is getting boosters and I haven’t even had one, I feel embarrassed and ashamed, but I can’t do it, it’s like I need to be knocked unconscious before I’ll have it. I’ve even walked into the vaccination centre but ended up leaving after a few minutes as I had a panic attack.

I don’t know what to do.

OP posts:
JuneOsborne · 13/12/2021 08:13

Ah, that sounds really difficult for you.

Is there anyone that can go with you and help you? I don't think, even if you could get an appointment with the Dr, that they'd sedate you.

Maybe ring the 119 service and see if they have any ideas? I know that when I've been for my vaccines there have been other needle phobic folk there and the staff were truly fantastic with them.

Try again?

TheNoonBell · 13/12/2021 08:17

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Jabbawasarollingstone · 13/12/2021 08:18

DH. I respect his decision.I'm double jabbed but not getting the booster.

Pensieve · 13/12/2021 08:19

Hi OP

I’m glad you recognise the importance of trying to get yourself vaccinated. Maybe read this and book yourself another appt. Get there early and tell them your phobia, they’ll have seen it all before and may have some help for you. Don’t be embarrassed, they’ll be pleased you’re being vaccinated 🙂. I used to inject daily and have had so many blood tests. The vaccination is nothing like that, tiny tiny, you won’t see it and it’s over extremely quickly, literally seconds.

I’ve been in a low case area throughout. Our cases are now already higher than the peak last Christmas. Rationalise it will be way worse for you if you get it. Good luck and report back to us 🙂

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/all-patients/overcoming-your-fear-of-needles.pdf

ReviewingTheSituation · 13/12/2021 08:19

Yes, c 6 million people are completely unvaccinated (or something of that magnitude). So you are, worryingly, very far from alone.

But at least you do want to get the vaccine, which puts you a step ahead of many of those who won't get it. You've got as far as the vaccine centre which is an excellent start - can you take someone with you, to support and help you? The vaccination staff will be totally supportive of you and have (to coin a phrase) seen it all before.

Please, please try again and get the vaccine - to protect yourself, and to protect the NHS (which is what then protects others).

PurpleDaisies · 13/12/2021 08:22

You don’t need to feel embarrassed. Vaccinators are thrilled when first doses come through. Put that part out of your mind at least. Flowers

It’s probably worth trying your GP because lots will be vaccinating and that could be a particularly suitable place for a nervous person to have a vaccine. Hopefully you’ll be lucky there.

Megan2018 · 13/12/2021 08:23

My husband has a needle phobia, he has finally managed to have both but took forever.
He got sedatives from the GP in the end. Keep trying them, you’ll get an appointment eventually.
I know it doesn’t help much but his phobia is bad and be managed it ok.
Another option is to write it on some paper-go to a walk in centre, show them the note that you are phobic and need help (easier than saying it). I am sure they will help you. They usually have trained staff for phobias

User2638483 · 13/12/2021 08:24

agree try not to let embarrassment hold you back! They would just be so impressed you’ve overcome your fears.

I don’t know what I can say to help really only that I would be incredibly anxious if I were unvaccinated and fully vulnerable to the full effects of the virus, so I find it hard to understand how anxiety about the vaccine can outweigh that.

MarshaBradyo · 13/12/2021 08:24

It’s very difficult and anyone with a phobia would understand.

I do have a couple (the more usual ones) and I get how you feel.

ufucoffee · 13/12/2021 08:25

Ring your Gp surgery and tell them why you want the appt. They'll give you one as priority.

bobbie42 · 13/12/2021 08:26

@TheNoonBell

Still unjabbed here, no intentions of doing so.

I might reconsider if the second generation of jabs appear to give meaningful protection for longer than 60-90 days and provide some innoculation.

If people post untrue things like this - it's no wonder some people don't bother getting vaccinated.

Current jabs DO provide meaningful protection for at least 6 months (e.g. against hospitalisation, serious illness and death).

They ARE are a form of innoculation (although not sure why the terminology would influence anyone's decision).

CrunchyCarrot · 13/12/2021 08:27

Yes, still unvaccinated here too, OP. I also have a needle phobia. I won't be getting the jabs, though, not until there's a nasal spray version. I have had Covid though so do have some natural immunity. It'll have to do for now.

If you can manage to get someone to go with you, that could help a lot, and there's some good advice from PP.

Onegingerhead · 13/12/2021 08:28

DH. We both had covid in August unjabbed. Extremely mild.
Since then I got two Pfizer’s under the pressure from my employer. DH still not jabbed and not planning

TheNoonBell · 13/12/2021 08:30

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Saucery · 13/12/2021 08:31

Put the embarrassment factor out of your mind, don’t let that add to the burden of your phobia.
I only know what worked for me so I won’t go into that here, because all the years of people trying to convince me needles were a minor inconvenience had absolutely no effect until I was ready.
It’s like a switch in your brain needs to flip over to the point where you can tolerate the experience long enough to get the vaccination/blood test etc done.

Keep trying your GP, as a mild sedative might be the answer for you.
And I’ll second the fact that vaccination centres are great with needle phobias. One volunteer even spotted my discomfort in the queue and I would have sworn I was giving nothing away!

Good idea to write it down and give it to them. Doesn’t need to be an essay, a few bullet points detailing the reactions you may have and what might help. So feel faint/best if I don’t see the equipment/please don’t describe what you are doing for example.

Flowers
Pensieve · 13/12/2021 08:34

@TheNoonBell

You’re on the wrong thread. OP is not debating, she is asking for support to overcome needle phobia.

ToJabOrNotToJab · 13/12/2021 08:35

I'm unvaccinated. First of all didn't really see why I needed it (youngish, no health issues). Caught covid this autumn and though unwell not terribly so. I don't have a brilliant life tbh, and whilst I don't think I'm particularly at risk, if I do catch it and die then that's fine by me

PurpleDaisies · 13/12/2021 08:36

Op it might be worth getting your title edited to ask if anyone is unvaccinated due to needle phobia or you might get more unhelpful anti vaccine nonsense.

ItsSnowJokes · 13/12/2021 08:41

@TheNoonBell

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Mainly cos a lot of the "unjabbed" are conspiracy tin foil hat wearing nuts people who don't work for a living and sit around in their houses all day downloading their "research" from YouTube. The vaccinated are out there working, living their lives knowing that they have some protection from serious illness if they do catch it.
ItsSnowJokes · 13/12/2021 08:43

@ToJabOrNotToJab

I'm unvaccinated. First of all didn't really see why I needed it (youngish, no health issues). Caught covid this autumn and though unwell not terribly so. I don't have a brilliant life tbh, and whilst I don't think I'm particularly at risk, if I do catch it and die then that's fine by me
You need to see your GP. This sounds like it could be depression. It's not a normal state of mind for you to say if you die then so be it.
Fendidntdrake · 13/12/2021 08:47

Could you phone the GP surgery and say you need to speak to someone about getting some medication so you can get vaccinated? Say how keen you are to get vaccinated and that you haven't had any yet.
Maybe diazepam or something? I have had that for medical procedures.
Good luck, OP x

AmigoingcrZy · 13/12/2021 08:49

I'm getting my first vaccines in the new year. Honestly, I didn't get it straight away because I was pregnant and the advice at first wasn't clear. I waited. My partner got both and was very poorly afterwards. No regrets just had to take some time off work and recover and I genuinely considered calling an ambulance after the second dose because he was so ill. He's not getting the booster because of this experience and it put me off too. Fast forward and I now have a 7 week old baby and I want to get the vaccine to protect myself and her. However I need to time it right because if I'm ill, my partner will need to take time off work to help with the baby and we can't afford it with me being on SMP now. So really, its just not been the right time. I have my 8 week check and baby's jabs next week and I'll be mentioning it to my doctor there to get booked in on a Friday hopefully!

musketeersmama · 13/12/2021 08:51

My friend also has severe needle phobia and decided to go for hypnosis to overcome her fear. She’s now happily double jabbed.

godmum56 · 13/12/2021 08:53

@TheNoonBell

Still unjabbed here, no intentions of doing so.

I might reconsider if the second generation of jabs appear to give meaningful protection for longer than 60-90 days and provide some innoculation.

but the current vaccinations do that
Sooverthemill · 13/12/2021 08:54

First of all I'm so sorry that you had to leave the vaccination centre because of anxiety. It must have been dreadful having got that far. I agree that if you call your GP practice and either get to speak to the senior practice nurse or your own GP and explain they will do everything they can for you. Needle phobias are extremely common and they will take you seriously. Good luck