When am I personally likely to get the vaccine. I can’t take this anymore :(

[Itsthewinenotthelabel]

I can’t live like this anymore. I’m absolutely fed up of living in fear.

All I’ve done for the majority of the year is go for walks.
I’ve not been in anyone’s house since February.
I’ve not met friends for dinner or a glass of wine.

I’m absolutely fed up of wiping my shopping down. I’m fed up of constantly worrying I’ve got symptoms.
I’m absolutely petrified I’m going to die and leave my son.

I’m 33 I have a high BMI (above 30 below 40) I have mild asthma and I have an inflammatory autoimmune disease. (Not on medication)

I’m on maternity leave but due back in Jan.
I actually don’t think I can cope being at work, indoors and around other people.
There is no option to work from home.

My son will be in nursery which puts him and me at risk.

I wasn’t on the shielding list but how soon am I likely to qualify for the vaccine?
I qualify for the flu jab.

I can’t live like this :(

@lovelemoncurd That is going to be really tough for you and your colleagues but it really does fill my heart with joy - thank you

As someone who used to struggle with anxiety (in my case social anxiety) I would recommend chatting to your GP. In my case I overcame my anxiety by gradually stepping a little outside my comfort zone, and then a little more - just the odd short low risk activity (nobody's suggesting heading to IKEA on a Saturday afternoon say )

Just to echo what people have said above - there's no need to wipe down your shopping. When this all first started I used to wipe/clean everything that came in the house; I even used to change my clothes and shower. Then I had a word with myself and stopped. The chances of catching anything from the shopping is negligible.

I’ve been wiping my shopping down for months, do people really think there is no need to do it?
I hate doing it and would love to stop.

OP have you spoken to the GP about your anxiety?

@Lightsabre

I'm sure it will be available privately if you can pay.

They've said that won't be the case.

@Lightsabre

I'm sure it will be available privately if you can pay.

Have they changed this, it was said originally that there wouldn't be an option to queue jump by paying for a private vaccine

@Itsthewinenotthelabel we’ve never wiped our shopping down. My partner works in the nhs on the frontline (and I did but have left to go to uni). We’ve never had Covid.

I think you’ll be okay if you stop. It’s a good first step maybe?

OP I am very similar to you - a little older and no asthma, but mostly the same. I'm still very anxious but my son going back to nursery in the summer did make things better after a couple of weeks... it made things feel more normal. I find getting out and being around people safely really helps - a walk around town and maybe a couple of well-ventilated shops makes all the difference to my mental health. I am still wiping down my shopping. It's shit but I can't stop now. I have health anxiety and I'd rather know I've done what I can.

We really don't know when we'll get the vaccine yet, but I would hope by Easter if the roll out goes smoothly. It's going to be a tough winter but there is a light at the end of the tunnel - this isn't forever.

@whatswithtodaytoday

OP I am very similar to you - a little older and no asthma, but mostly the same. I'm still very anxious but my son going back to nursery in the summer did make things better after a couple of weeks... it made things feel more normal. I find getting out and being around people safely really helps - a walk around town and maybe a couple of well-ventilated shops makes all the difference to my mental health. I am still wiping down my shopping. It's shit but I can't stop now. I have health anxiety and I'd rather know I've done what I can.

We really don't know when we'll get the vaccine yet, but I would hope by Easter if the roll out goes smoothly. It's going to be a tough winter but there is a light at the end of the tunnel - this isn't forever.

@whatswithtodaytoday

Is that Easter for everyone or will that be the start of it?

@SleepingStandingUp

OP have you spoken to the GP about your anxiety?

@SleepingStandingUp

No i haven’t but to be honest I’ve never felt like anxiety like this before.

I think the key thing is to try and address your anxiety. As above, I'd speak to your GP - your risk level isn't in line with the level of anxiety you're feeling. Try taking small steps - go outside just for 10 mins say, then build up to maybe having a walk with a friend etc.

If you are that anxious then why are you not also anxious about a vaccine that's only been around for a few months? No one knows what the long term effects may be? And the vaccine companies have zero liability if it turns out to be a risk!!! Btw, my kids are all vaccinated, I'm just not going to rush to get a vaccine that's been rushed through safety procedures for a virus that is actually less dangerous for me (given my age bracket and general health) then the flu! Think you need to stop listening to the news, social media... read a book called Corona False Alarm and get a good therapist!

@Ahava3

If you are that anxious then why are you not also anxious about a vaccine that's only been around for a few months? No one knows what the long term effects may be? And the vaccine companies have zero liability if it turns out to be a risk!!! Btw, my kids are all vaccinated, I'm just not going to rush to get a vaccine that's been rushed through safety procedures for a virus that is actually less dangerous for me (given my age bracket and general health) then the flu! Think you need to stop listening to the news, social media... read a book called Corona False Alarm and get a good therapist!

@Ahava3

I’m not worried about the vaccine. Covid kills people. I’m sure the vaccine won’t.

I think/hope people who are not particularly vulnerable will start to be vaccinated around Easter. That seems to be when the government intend to relax restrictions, which suggests the NHS should be safe from being overwhelmed by then.

Of course, no-one really knows. This has never happened before, we don't know what the plans are.

@Ahava3 The vaccines that will be available will have been through all the necessary safety trials. Thousands and thousands of people have already been vaccinated with no ill-effects. I trust the scientists.

You really need to see a dr about your anxiety, your behaviour isn’t the norm
It’s understandable to be cautious and worried but it shouldn’t be controlling your life
Try and get some help❤️

In case it helps ease your anxiety, recent studies indicate that asthma might actually lower your risk.

Obviously I'd urge caution as it's still early days wrt research, but it might put your mind slightly at ease. The link below is the mail. I know some don't like it. I read it somewhere else earlier today but can't remember where, and the information comes from research.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9006585/amp/People-asthma-30-likely-contract-Covid-19-study-claims.html

From the article:
People with asthma are 30 per cent LESS likely to contract COVID-19 - and it may be because their inhalers are helping to control the virus, study claims

Also reports repeatedly emphasis there have been few deaths under 40. At 33, that's another thing going in your favour.

I'd say the biggest worry, given the initial planned cut-off age of 50, is for those aged 40-50 - especially since it's relatively common to develop underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension (but remain unaware) from 40+.

Remember this isn't the flu.
It's a different disease. It seems to be as much, if not more, a vascular and inflammatory disease than a respiratory one.

Over time we're learning more about it, and there are different vulnerabilities and risk factors than with the flu. Many overlap but not necessarily all.

I'm sorry it's hard and understandably a worrying time. Some more optimistic reports say all adults who want a vaccine will have it by spring. It might take longer but you never know.

(China is offering their vaccine on a first come first served basis, for a small cost. Unfortunately the UK is currently on their barred entry list. Perhaps if we manage to do more to contain Covid, like France and Germany, than we'll be able to fly there to get the vaccine, if we wanted to.)

We were also wiping down our shopping in lock down one but stopped in about September after reading a few articles like this one: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/5743240002

I'd say the biggest worry, given the initial planned cut-off age of 50, is for those aged 40-50 - especially since it's relatively common to develop underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension (but remain unaware) from 40+.

I'll be 45 next year and I do worry about this a bit.

OP, I hope you can feel less anxious soon and maybe get help for it. You don't need to wipe down shopping. I did that once, found it incredibly stressful and just stopped. Nothing has happened as a result. :-)

@SheepandCow

*It seems to be as much, if not more, a vascular and inflammatory disease than a respiratory one.

This is what worries me as I already have an inflammatory condition. ☹️

@mrsknottschicken
If you have any concerns, i.e. possible symptoms or risk factors (family history, etc) there's no harm in getting some blood tests to check for hypertension and diabetes. I think the over 40s health check is meant to be every 5 years? Some pharmacies do the tests too (possibly for a small fee).

@Itsthewinenotthelabel

I’ve been wiping my shopping down for months, do people really think there is no need to do it? I hate doing it and would love to stop.

I still do it, well wash anything that goes in the fridge or freezer and quarantine the rest for three days. I know it's supposed to be be low risk, but I'd rather be safe and sorry and you never know if an infected person might have recently touched an item.

[quote Itsthewinenotthelabel]@SheepandCow

*It seems to be as much, if not more, a vascular and inflammatory disease than a respiratory one.

This is what worries me as I already have an inflammatory condition. ☹️[/quote]
It's possible anti-inflammatory medication, like the asthma inhalers, might help protect against Covid. Again, no definites as it's a new disease and scientists are learning as they go along, but it might help at least slightly ease your concerns.

I might've read reports wrong, but from what I understand I don't think inflammatory conditions are amongst those with the highest death rates?

Your age also works in your favour.

I know you can't completely relax and the new research isn't definite yet, but try not to panic.

Keep taking sensible precautions - handwashing, masks when out, take the vitamins a previous poster recommended, and you're lowering your risk.

Exercise and fresh air is good for the immune system. If you find it daunting, go for a walk at non busy time.

And, with a bit of luck the vaccines might just be available for all adults who want one by spring. It's something to hope for.

Remember too, even if you're not first in line, the more other people are vaccinated the less chance of it spreading - and therefore less chance of you catching it.