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 :(

I have applied for work as an admin assistant on the vaccination roll out. There are multiple vacancies in admin, and also some roles where they train non-medic people on how to give the jabs. I was a bit surprised at that, but I suppose it wouldn't take long to teach someone the basics of giving the jabs into muscle (not as tricky as delivering into veins). Anyway, the ad mentions a possible start date of December for those immediately available to work, so it looks like things will start happening soon.

I'm a bit anxious about Covid, and also a bit of a germaphobic person, so I understand your anxiety OP, but I think wiping down shopping is a bit of an unnecessary faff. I do rinse down bottles of drinks/milk in the shower though, because it's a quick and easy thing to do and those bottles are touched regularly. Bear in mind that although the virus can live on plastic/paper surfaces for hours/days, it's not likely you would injest the virus by breathing it in from those surfaces. I think the only real danger is from you touching the packaging then eating something without washing your hands inbetween. So, if you're making a cheese sandwich, open the bread bag, open the cheese packet, etc, then wash your hands, before touching the actual bread and cheese with your hands. This way you don't risk contaminating the food with virus (or bacteria) that may be on the outside of the packaging.

Be patient OP, I think you'll have the jab by next Easter. Meantime, boost your vitamin D levels with supplements, wear masks near other people and please do also get out and about for some fresh air - ruminating indoors is really bad for your mental health.

If I'm lucky enough to get the job I'll try to revert with any inside info that comes my way (without breaking confidentiality rules - don't want to be fired).

@SnowmanDrinkingSnowballs

If you are eligible for the flu jab you will be on the list of clinically vulnerable, not the clinically extremely vulnerable who need to shield. Only bmi over 40 effects this and yours is low enough to not be concerning. As someone cv you would be after those aged 65 and over. No one can answer your question about when you will be vaccinated but I am hopeful it would be this winter. In the meantime perhaps have a think about your actual risk as it doesn’t sound high to me and your over perception of the risk is having a negative effect on your life. You are no more likely to die from covid than other illnesses like sepsis, or indeed accidental causes.

That’s not actually true. I’m eligible for flu jab, have it every year, but am not on the updated list for vaccine. Asthma has been taken off the list apart from very sever asthma, whilst mild asthma still gets flu jab.

Wrt wiping your shopping.
It doesn't take that long and if it makes you feel safer, there's no harm in doing it - even if it's mainly for peace of mind.

Good luck with the job @Defenbaker I hope you get it.

Will you get a jab due to being a frontline worker? If so, it could be the perfect job for anybody keen to get the vaccine asap!

@Itsthewinenotthelabel
I don't know if you'd be screened out (depending on medication you're taking) but I think some of the vaccine trials are still looking for volunteers. Of course it's 50/50 whether vaccine or placebo but better 50% than nothing?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/5743240002

“Now, however, a lot more is known about how COVID-19 spreads – primarily from person to person through droplets in the air. The risk of getting it from surfaces, including grocery packaging, is “exceedingly small,” said Melissa Bronstein, senior director of infection prevention for Rochester Regional Health and a registered nurse.”

I'm sorry you feel so bad OP.
I really get how you feel, I feel similar.
I've always wiped down my shopping, I even did it when dh had covid and was coughing away in the next room. I can't stop doing it.

I think your age is a massive thing in your favour though.

Hang in there .

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling so anxious. It's been a scary time for many of us. I have very similar health conditions to you but I also work in education so have to work despite being clinically vulnerable. I was really worried at first but haven't caught it yet despite living in a tier 3 area.
I would follow the advice given and seek medical help in gradually facing your fears.
Good luck

I'm 38 with asthma and BMI of 30 tbh I wasn't expecting the vaccine at all. I dont wipe down my shopping, my 3 dc attend schools, I dont take any other precautions that the rest of society at the moment doesn't. Im aware if I do get it theres a chance it may impact me more than others but I'm in no way scared of dying from covid at all

I have no idea about BMI’s..... But if clinically extremely obese its a little higher....

But your prob looking at atleast middle of next year

@SheepandCow Thanks, I'd like to be involved in the vaccine roll out, it seems like worthwhile work. They don't say that these jobs would qualify people to have the jab alongside NHS frontline workers, but I guess that might happen, if it involves working in a clinic/hospital setting. I did apply to be on the Oxford vaccine trial, but never got a response so maybe they had too many volunteers.

OP - did you have the MMR vaccine as a child? There is a theory that this vaccine helps protect against Covid, which might be the reason why there are very few deaths/serious cases in younger age groups (see Dr John Campbell's YT channel).

@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!

Such an empathetic response to someone who is clearly suffering from anxiety. Absolutely sick to the back teeth of the people who come on here and make unfounded allegations about vaccines being ‘rushed through’ increasing people’s concerns. It’s really not that difficult to understand. Generally there are time lags of many months between each stage of vaccine development whilst written reports are prepared/submitted and funding is sought/obtained for each stage. Surprisingly enough Governments have ensured that funding is not an issue given that, you know, we are in the middle of a pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands and decimated economies. How do you propose that we seek to return to normal life if not by vaccination ?

I’m worried that if I contact the GP they might ask me to go to the surgery and I’m just not sure I could do that right now. It’s too scary! 😫

They're trying to do appointments remotely where possible. Try not to worry. They don't need to see you in person to discuss your anxiety. That can be done in a video or telephone call. It's worth making an appointment. And remember, they can't force you to go in even if it was something that needed examining in person. Also some areas let you refer yourself to counselling. Have a look and see if it's possible where you live.

@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 :(

Unfortunately, ‘just’ clinically vulnerable asthmatics are no longer on the priority list for the vaccine. You were on the list, but then they changed it! Now, under 65 clinically vulnerable asthmatics have been lumped in with the general under 65 population. It’ll be after Easter, I reckon.

@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!

It wasn't rushed it was heavily funded so that the many levels of testing could be done consecutively rather than concurrently like usual vaccines. Stop scaremongering.

@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!

It hasn’t been rushed through safety procedures, what a ridiculous comment.

Vaccines normally take a few years to be developed because the researchers are waiting for funding, which can take months if not years at every new stage of the process.

This has not been the case in this vaccine.

Please stop the scaremongering.

Great minds think alike @CorianderQueen - total cross post!

@Defenbaker that's interesting regarding possible protection through MMR vaccine. Does that also apply to people who've had those illnesses ?

@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.

There has never been any guidance saying you should wipe down shopping. In fact if you look on the gov U.K. site it specifically says you don’t need to.

Just wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food, eating or touching your face.

Anxiety is causing your problems not the actual virus!

There's no reason for the GP to need to see you face to face for anxiety.
If it helps, I'm on the ECV list with 2 dc in 2 schools - one a big secondary. I have OCD, immune conditions and a further risk that would make me vulnerable on its own. I haven't wiped shopping. I do hug my youngest etc. We have been as careful as we can since March.
It's not easy but I would agree that you need to keep it in perspective. You might get more poorly than someone of your age without your health concerns but you are far more likely to be fine than not.

@shinynewapple2020 I think I read that the immunity from having the diseases isn't effective. It's the vaccination itself. I had Mumps and Rubella but I was given an MMR booster a couple of years ago.

We did the wiping at first but haven't done it for months now. We just use normal hand hygiene and wash hands regularly. Wash hands after taking stuff out of fridge/freezer. Always have some though.

I understand your worries. One of the really shite things about this is not knowing how you personally would fare if you caught it. I personally knew a woman in her 40s who lost her life and a woman almost 70 who smokes like a chimney who breezed through it.

You are young which is a massive plus point.

Good luck OP. There is light ahead.

@WhoseThatGirl

It sounds like your concern and anxiety is out of proportion to your risk. It sounds like your risk is low.

Based on what?? I think you need to re read the OP's post, she's not low risk.

@LaLoose

We have been told Christmas week

In what way?

To administer vaccine or to get it & if it's to get it, what is your age/risk level?