Having vaccine tomorrow and I am scared

[WhyDoesItAlwaysRainMe]

I have a needle phobia and I am so worried. I'm anxious about reacting to it or becoming ill. I know I need this vaccine but please can someone talk me through it you wouldn't think I was 39 years old, I feel like a little kid.

I absolutely hate needles roo OP, and whilst I really want the vaccine, I'm dreading getting an appointment through.

I always go lightheaded and feel faint after an injection, and knowing that'll happen makes me even more nervous. I'm going to ask if I can lie down to have mine, hopefully in the doctors surgery and not in the middle of Boots!

For the actual injection itself I've found in the past that tapping works. Tap your hand on your stomach, or your leg, and count how many taps. Focusing on that does help. Just wish I could lose the lightheaded bit afterwards!

Think of someone you love.

Picture them running towards you and giving you a BIG HUG. Just holding you tight. Really focus on that image as they do what they have to do.

Your brain is IMMENSELY powerful. Use it. Know that you can use it.

And yes- music through earphones.

You're so lucky to be having it, just focus on that and try to listen to music in headphones and DONT LOOK!!!

I had mine yesterday (NHS staff). Bit of a sore arm but absolutely no other side effects here!

Honestly these replies are really helpful. I will read them again when I am waiting, to remind me. Thank you so much, you are all so lovely 😊

I had mine today. No problem at all.
I give plenty in my job too. Suck a sweet or some chocolate as a distraction, the sweetness is a pain relief too.

Look the other way and tell them you don’t want to know when they’re doing it, just to do it.

This time tomorrow it will be done and we’ll be a tiny step closer to normality. I’m waaaay down list, i can’t wait.

I had mine today. It hurt far less than a flu vaccine or a B12 injection. The worst part was trying to stop my emotions getting the better of me....all these people working together to make a vaccine and vaccinate us all, in the hope of a return to normality. It made me quite emotional!

They have it running like a production line. It's so quick, it's unbelievable. Arm hurts afterwards though!

I'm also NHS and had mine on NYD. Was quicker than flu jab ! Absolutely nothing to it

I had my second dose yesterday, I'm a healthcare worker. The needle is really so small you hardly feel it. I just felt a slight scratch

I second the production line feeling, it's generally a very slick operation and you'll be in and out in a matter of about 3 minutes

I had mine done on Thursday and wasn't feeling great after. I hate needles but was over quickly and I'm back to normal now except harm hurts a bit but that's all

DD had to have a huge set of bloods last year, and following an accident several years ago she suffers massive anxiety of needles.

The nurse that did the bloods suggested singing! It was great. They did 4 verses of Doe a Deer, and by the last verse the whole dept had joined in. If you are brave enough, give it a go! She was so worried about signing well, it completely took her mind away from the needle.

Singing is s great idea, but... you’ll not have time. Youll not have time to tap, suck a sweet, of anything else.

You might have time to count “one, two” if you say it quick and rush the words together. Honestly, its a genuinely tiny “prick” and you’re done.

Afterwards - sore arm for about 36 hours, tired and dull/mild headache for a few hours, which is in the “known side effects for some” category.

I had it today.

For background i am medical phobic even about eye doctor visits.

Covid vaccine a no brainer. Over almost before it started; I've had more painful pricks from gardening

Sooooooo happy and thankful that modern science can do this miracle for us. I feel better than i have in nearly a year. Don't fret!

@PeppaPigMakesMeGrrrrr

I had mine today. It hurt far less than a flu vaccine or a B12 injection. The worst part was trying to stop my emotions getting the better of me....all these people working together to make a vaccine and vaccinate us all, in the hope of a return to normality. It made me quite emotional!

I felt this way too -- near tears and I NEVER cry. This is a modern miracle we all should be abjectly grateful for.

Good luck, it will be so totally worth it xx

I had it last week. Barely felt it. It’s a very fine needle & the nurse talked throughout to distract me.

Well done you for putting your fear aside and getting it. Brilliant :)

I've had it done!

The worse bit was sat waiting, but I had my headphones in to distract me and re-read all these posts. Like a previous post said, I felt quite emotional after I had it and I still do a bit now, and so thankful that I have had the chance to have it.

Thanks again to everyone who replied, hopefully everyone else won't be waiting too long for their chance x

👏🏻 Well done @WhyDoesItAlwaysRainMe for getting it done.

Well done!

Well done OP