Very nervous for my vaccine on Thursday...

[coffeeandbooks]

22 and have severe health anxiety alongside panic attacks, I'm so scared to have the vaccine and face potential side effects

I have the flu jab yearly which worries me enough but there's been so much bad press about the vaccines lately- I wish they would let me know which one it is so I can research it.

I haven't had Covid (that I know of) and stuck to all the rules but had a very active and busy summer when we were allowed last year, theme parks, pubs, restaurants etc

AIBU?

I think the AZ vaccine is getting v bad press. I do sometimes think that someone, somewhere really does not want it to succeed.

They have had 40 blood clotting incidents out of 17,000,000 doses given, or a rate of roughly 0.00025%. AZ are claiming this is just the normal rate of clotting in the population. AZ is a good vaccine and has been shown to work against all strains of Corona (although much less effective vs the SA variant).

On the other hand, if, even as a healthy 22 year old you contract symptomatic COVID, you have a roughly 1/7 chance of getting long COVID, having debilitating symptoms 5-8 weeks after first feeling unwell, and sometimes it lasts far longer.

In addition, getting the vaccine does not just help you, it saves lives and helps us all back to a fun normal summer,

Is it really a choice?

I suspect the AZ hoo-ha has a lot to do with politics. Isn’t that the one the Italians refused to let the Australians have because they wanted it?

Had jab at 4pm yesterday. So well organised and didn't feel a thing. Waited 15 mins in car and was told to shout at one of the volunteers if felt funny. Good nights sleep (took 2 paracetamol before bed and drank a lot of water last night). This morning arm is a bit sore and feel like I've got a mild hangover. But the biggest feeling is one of massive relief and that normality is in sight.

Even if you get side effects they will be not as bad as Covid and won’t last very long. Take a couple of paracetamol, equivalent to calpoling up our babies.

You are going to be absolutely fine OP.

I had mine (pfizer) and literally felt nothing at all, and no after effects except for a sore arm. Just keep reminding yourself that this is the first step to liberation. :)

Come back and tell us how you go. best wishes.

“If you are that anxious over your health why were you out in pubs etc over the summer? The two don't really tally... surely the vaccine is less risky than the disease?”

This. No one I know with ‘severe health anxiety’ was out socialising last summer. They were at home being cautious ... because of their health anxiety. Since you could overcome it last summer to Eat out to Help out, use the same strategies to get your vaccine, job done.

I had the AZ and had to wait 15 mins as well, they said you shouldn’t drive 15 mins after it.

Good luck!

@SparklingBrook and @Cornettoninja

Snap! We too have kept our BJ letter and one our local council sent out too as well as leaflets and stickers to show our potential grandchildren in case they have any future projects etc on this subject

Op I volunteer at different vaccine hubs and we see lots of nervous, anxious, tearful etc patients. You won't be alone and the clinicians, nurses and vaccinators are so kind, patient and understanding. They even have beds at the bigger hubs that you can lie down on if you're feeling faint. The actual amount of vaccine is tiny (0.5ml for AZ and 0.3 for Pfizer) so the needle they need to use is so fine that most don't feel a thing.
I love watching the nurses at the syringe filling stations and the vaccinators coming to collect each syringe for each patient. No one is rushing, it's so so calm so they have lots of time to give you.
Do say to each nurse you see that you are nervous along each step of the way so they are aware. I know you will be fine and I am so proud that you are having this done so our country and the world as a whole can start to recover from this ordeal. Each person vaccinated is a step towards getting back to normal.

It's all super well organised op, I've known people who are terrified of needles who came out smiling saying they were totally put at ease. Most people I know who have had it have either had no symptoms at all other than a sore arm or very mild symptoms for a short time.

With regard to the news stories re AZ, some of this is politicking due to lack of supply in EU countries - it helps them to defend why they haven't got enough doses of they do it under the guise of safety concerns. Some of it is down to big profiteering pharmaceuticals speading misinformation to make their vaccines seem more appealing (AZ is produced at cost making it a very attractive option).

37 people in 17m developed blood clots after having the vaccine. Put that into perspective, 1 in 1000 women will have a dvt as a result of taking the contraceptive pill. And who knows, how many of these blood clots are actually a result of people sitting sedentary throughout lockdowns, with limited access to exercise? The most alarming headline you need to keep in mind is the one that says 140,000 dead of Covid in the UK alone.

Honestly op, you will be fine. Go, have it, celebrate - it's an occasion to celebrate

Just booked mine for Saturday morning. 🙂

@Horsemad

Just booked mine for Saturday morning. 🙂

That's great. Is that at the Doctors or a centre? Mine's at the doctors.

I'm positively excited for my vaccine tomorrow (that I only booked yesterday. ) Not bothered about the issue some other countries are making. We'll save more lives by getting jabbed asap.

@Sparklingbrook, it's the big vaccination centre in town. I'm off to town anyway on Saturday to get my contact lenses checked, so thought I may as well book to have the jab beforehand.

[quote Horsemad]@Sparklingbrook, it's the big vaccination centre in town. I'm off to town anyway on Saturday to get my contact lenses checked, so thought I may as well book to have the jab beforehand.[/quote]
More chance of a sticker at a centre. I don't think I'll be getting one at the GPs.
That's a fun morning out during lockdown-jab and opticians.

DP had his AZ vaccination yesterday. And got a sticker! I’m an envious cow and already baggsied it for my collection

I’d be lying if the I said the news from europe wasn’t concerning me but the more I read the more I’m inclined to think it’s an issue with the production/manufacturing/storage. The alarm has been raised over a very specific type of blood clot (from memory sinus vein but don’t take that as gospel) which apparently hasn’t been seen at all in connection with the vaccine in the UK. As we have a supply from a different manufacturer and haven’t seen any instances it’s unlikely it’s an issue with the vaccine itself I believe. Not every EU country has halted their delivery of AZ, Belgium are definitely cracking on as far as I know.

On the face of it it’s right they suspend AZ until they can narrow down what’s happened but it is concerning although I don’t believe it should affect the UK’s vaccination programme.

@Panicmode1

I had AZ yesterday evening. Arm slightly sore this morning but feel fine. I was told that if i was driving, to sit in my car for 15 mins afterwards (not quite sure what would have happened if I'd had a severe reaction in my car 🙄) but all was well - and it was all so brilliantly organised.

The driving thing isn't to do with the vaccine, it's more in case of adrenaline/nerves etc might affect your concentration for a bit.

I was hoping to spend the fifteen minutes in the cake shop over the road.

Had mine Saturday, bit under the weather, headache, aching etc BUT it's worth it, keep telling yourself it's worth it, you may sail through, you may have some unpleasant side effects but it's worth it if it affords you some protection against covid.
Be brave and good luck

Had mine (Astra Zeneca) yesterday at one of the big vaccination centres. All very slick. Just pretend you're going through the airport where you get herded from one bit to another!! I got a sticker and a sweetie from my vaccinator! (Sweet was wrapped). I had to wait 15 mins in my car as I was driving but was told to blast the horn if I felt ill and one of the marshalls would get help. I was quite pleased to be wearing a sticker as I had to pop to a couple of shops afterwards and figured that if I passed out there (wasn't expecting to!) at least people could see I'd just had my jab!
My local GP led vaccine centre (where I volunteer) doesn't give stickers.

we still don't have a full 100% guarantee vaccine iyswim (and there are so many variants!) I keep worrying and thinking what's the point if it might not even work

I was hoping someone more knowledgeable than me would come along and reassure you on this, but I will have a stab at it (pun definitely intended)

Most vaccines are not 100%. The flu vaccine is rarely over 70% against any one strain. The smallpox vaccine managed to eradicate smallpox despite being ‘only’ 95% effective.

I believe, with the AZ vaccine anyway, that it’s not a case of it working or not working. It’s more a case of how well it works. As I understand it, even if your body does not manage a full immune response to the vaccine or even if you encounter a vastly different strain to the one you developed an immune response to you are still much less likely to be as ill as you would have done had you not had the vaccine at all.

Hopefully someone who knows more about this will be able to clarify/correct this.

My local GP led vaccine centre (where I volunteer) doesn't give stickers

That's so unfair!

48 hours on no significant side effects at all other than very tired and rather absent minded. And very upset by no sticker - significant adverse side-effect in my view.
Support and good luck all.

I had the AZ on Saturday evening. I had a headache for a while but some paracetamol fixed that and I feel great. I was expecting to feel tired for a bit but no.

So glad I was able to have it when I did and I have no qualms about getting the second shot when it's due.

Bit annoyed I didn't get a sticker though!

I had mine yesterday, it was so quick and easy, I barely noticed it had been done!
I've had no side effects at all so far, I hope you have a similar experience. Health anxiety is a horrible thing, I hope it all goes well

I had my first one today.
It was so quick and easy!
Name and register at the door.
Coat off, temperature check.
Sit in chair. Confirm birthday. Quick read of some health questions.
Quick scratch on arm.
Quick check no excess bleeding.
Out door.
Allotted time was 4 minutes. I think I was out in less than one.
Wear a short sleeve top. I had a tee shirt. No place to get changed!
No side effects yet. Not even a sore arm.
The OAZ is less likely to have side effects than the Pfizer