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?

@TomBarbara

Yes they are sparkling. Someone who volunteered in a vaccine centre said the other day they had to stay 2 hours late to try and find people to use up spare vaccines from drop outs, but still had some unused ones at the end of the day. It's sad when you think there are people desperate for the vaccine and still at risk of covid who could have had those.

That's really sad to hear.

Anti- anxiety medication might help you OP.

Reason tells you that either vaccine is fine and MUCH better than risking death from covid. (Whether your own death ... or the death of someone else when you infect them.)

Reason tells you that the side-effects won't be a problem and probably won't happen at all.

Reason is no help at all against a phobia.

People in countries where vaccines are donated

Will not get to choose which vaccine they receive

I didn't get a choice, I gratefully took what was offered

Take someone with you if you are anxious

@Horsemad

Just waiting 15 mins now after having mine. Was very efficient, everyone lovely. Professor JvT was here vaccinating last night, gutted I missed him! 😁

Was surprised how emotional I felt when I actually arrived, think it was seeing the huge operation & imagining that happening all over the world.

Oh, and @Sparklingbrook, I got a sticker, yeeay! 😆

Same. As I said thank you to the nurse yesterday I felt quite teary!

It didn’t hurt a bit. I was surprised when she said all done!

@RedcurrantPuff I am on beta blockers (propranolol) and I've been on Prozac for over 10 years. It's been an ongoing issue for me.

Also just a reminder- anxiety and panic attacks ARE NOT rational, I know it makes absolutely no sense but it's very real for me. Implying I'm selfish, stupid etc really doesn't help. I've struggled with this for over ten years, I'm only 22 for Christ's sake.

That sounds really tough @coffeeandbooks. Unfortunately I think you’re going to have reconcile yourself with the fact you’re unlikely to be offered the Pfizer vaccine any time soon.

I knew beforehand which one I'd be having, due to the location of the vaccination centre. As far as I'm aware (well here at least), the Pfizer one is only being given at hospital vaccination centres, due to its storage requirements, so I 'knew' mine would be would be the AZ.

I think you 'could' get side effects from either one but most likely won't.

@coffeeandbooks

Also just a reminder- anxiety and panic attacks ARE NOT rational, I know it makes absolutely no sense but it's very real for me. Implying I'm selfish, stupid etc really doesn't help. I've struggled with this for over ten years, I'm only 22 for Christ's sake.

No they’re not, but you can’t let them ruin your life. You’re so young but yet been offered the vaccine. This is because you’re at serious risk of harm from Covid. Is your health anxiety not off the scale about that?

Hey coffeeandbooks, I've had health anxiety, so I know where you're coming from. Both vaccines have gone through the same approval process though, so both are fine. Try to keep reminding yourself that the fixation on the Pfizer one is just that - a fixation. It's not a rational preference. Hugs though, health anxiety sucks.