Would you go to the Drs right now if it meant getting the vaccine sooner?

[overtherainbow08]

I hadn’t really considered that I would be in any priority groups for the Covid vaccine.

Since having my son I’ve gained a lot of weight on top of already being very, very overweight.

I’ve not really done much about it, new mum, knackered.... (excuses, I know)
But after reading online about obesity and Covid i decided to weigh myself and see what the damage was.

It wasn’t great and my BMI was coming in at 40.5..

I made a call to my GP and they’ve requested that I go in so they can run some bloods, blood pressure and officially update my records with my weight and BMI.

The Dr told me that with my BMI that would make me group 6 for the Covid vaccine.

The issue is, I’m absolutely petrified about going to the Drs.

My mum went a few days ago, she said they have a maximum of 4 people in the waiting room, all distanced.
Staff are in PPE.

I avoid public places like super markets etc, and I’m not sure if I can bring myself to go to the Drs.

I’ve asked if they can update my details over the phone but my last recorded weight gave me a BMI of 31 so the GP said she is concerned by this big jump and wants me to go in.

Will the Drs & nurses be vaccinated now and do they test regularly?

I don’t know what to do. I feel like going there could put me at risk and I’m likely to catch Covid.
But then it also puts me into the right category for the vaccine.

What should I do?

I would go, OP.
Drs have great infection control. You're probably safer in a doctors waiting room than a supermarket.

Go, the doctors are probably really safe. Ours is temp checking everyone going in and not having many people in there.
You need the jab so need your records updating.

I'd definitely go.
The Drs and nurses will very very likely have been vaccinated a while ago.

@Spied

I'd definitely go. The Drs and nurses will very very likely have been vaccinated a while ago.

@Spied

But the people in the waiting room may not have been

I'd go, and I say this as someone who has been overly cautious during the whole pandemic.. I put off going for my smear all last year and eventually went in December - the surgery was extremely well managed and because most of the appointments are over the phone there wasn't even anyone else in the waiting room.
Sanitised on entry and exit, and wore a mask, felt very safe.

Hope this reassures you a bit.

I’ve been for a blood test to my doctors. There was only one other person in the waiting room and they’ve taken out chairs so you cannot sit close. Arrive on time and you shouldn’t have to wait. The blood test took less than a couple of minutes as well as a blood pressure check.

@covetingthepreciousthings

I'd go, and I say this as someone who has been overly cautious during the whole pandemic.. I put off going for my smear all last year and eventually went in December - the surgery was extremely well managed and because most of the appointments are over the phone there wasn't even anyone else in the waiting room. Sanitised on entry and exit, and wore a mask, felt very safe.

Hope this reassures you a bit.

@covetingthepreciousthings

It’s not the staff that puts me off. My mum went last week and said they allow a total of 4 people in the waiting room.
That’s the part that scares me. Sitting in a room
with other people. 😣

You’ll have to sit in a room with other people to get the vaccine too.

I would

Is it worth asking if you could wait outside in the car park, and the receptionist phones you when your appointment is due?

@borageforager

You’ll have to sit in a room with other people to get the vaccine too.

@borageforager

😩

You'll be more than adequately socially distanced from anyone else waiting. Covid has a maximum range after which it falls to the ground, it doesn't fly of its own accord.

(Ive been shielding since March. Went for my vaccine last month and was herded around like cattle, no social distancing, was awful!)

I think you need to tell yourself that the risk to yourself being in that room is probably less than the risk of catching Covid. Wear a decent mask and I expect you will be in and out really quickly. You could also explain you are nervous and ask to wait outside it til your appointment. People will have been going the surgery for months so it will be as safe as they can possibly make it.

@LApprentiSorcier

Is it worth asking if you could wait outside in the car park, and the receptionist phones you when your appointment is due?

@LApprentiSorcier

I could ask, but I really doubt they would do this just for me.

My parents had their vaccines and told me the social distancing was far in excess of what's legally required.

@EspressoExpresso

You'll be more than adequately socially distanced from anyone else waiting. Covid has a maximum range after which it falls to the ground, it doesn't fly of its own accord.

(Ive been shielding since March. Went for my vaccine last month and was herded around like cattle, no social distancing, was awful!)

@EspressoExpresso

I thought Covid stayed in the air though?
I’ve heard lots about it being air born and transmissible even without close contact?

I could ask, but I really doubt they would do this just for me.

You lose nothing by asking, the worst they can say is no.

The other patients will be wearing masks, be spaced out and have hand sanitised . For you to be so worried it would really give you peace of mind to get your vaccine so I hope you can settle yourself and get to your drs. You are quite lucky your Dr is willing to have you in for this and the benefits of you having the vaccine greatly outweigh the low low low risk of the Dr waiting list

Please take the advice on this thread. If you don't go, you will continue to feel anxious and worried, whereas visiting your GP to deal with an issue should hopefully help to dispel the anxiety.

I thought Covid stayed in the air though?
I’ve heard lots about it being air born and transmissible even without close contact?

You may be thinking of when it's aerosolized, through what's known as aerosol generating procedures. If it's just breathed out, it will have a range (less than 2m hence social distancing) and it will arc down to the ground, like if you pushed a ball off a table. Mask wearing stops you spreading the virus further by catching droplets that would be spread further when they exit with greater force e.g. when coughing or sneezing

I'd still go OP ( and have been to our surgery twice since Christmas).
Wear your mask, possibly put a scarf around you too to feel more secure.
Go as near to your appointment time as possible.
You could also ask to wait outside and the nurse/receptionist come for you when it's time to see the Dr. I am sure they will be fine with this.(Our surgery are fine with this. My aunt has anxiety issues and doesn't feel comfortable sitting with others). They will come across requests like this more often than we realise I think. You could call and ask if that's ok before you go to set your mind at rest.

@Twistered

The other patients will be wearing masks, be spaced out and have hand sanitised . For you to be so worried it would really give you peace of mind to get your vaccine so I hope you can settle yourself and get to your drs. You are quite lucky your Dr is willing to have you in for this and the benefits of you having the vaccine greatly outweigh the low low low risk of the Dr waiting list

@Twistered

But what about those that are exempt?
My mum said a lady in the waiting room when she went didn’t have a mask on, but was wearing an exemption lanyard. 😥

Sorry, I missed the previous 'wait outside' posts

Go and ask if you can wait outside for your doctor.

Our surgery is doing that anyway; then the doc comes out to get you

Yes I’d go. I’ve been to the doctors and hospital quite a lot for maternity then post maternity and baby care and it’s all been very well organised and felt safe.