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Covid

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Original poster

Highly anxious - please walk me through the vaccination appointment

57 replies

Snailandthehedgehog · 04/03/2021 20:49

I have my vaccination appointment coming up and I am highly anxious about it. I suffer from anxiety in certain situations usually but just the idea of going to a large vaccination centre on my own makes me feel faint and unwell.

Please can someone 'walk me through' going for a vaccine, from the minute you enter the door to the moment you leave. What were you asked? What did you have to do? I am going to a large city centre vaccination centre, if someone has been somewhere similar.

If I know what you expect it might help lessen my anxiety about the whole thing. I would really appreciate it.

OP posts:

ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 04/03/2021 20:57

I have similar anxieties and a friend talked me through it which helped loads.

Mine was an out of town centre.
I drove and when I arrived a marshal took my name and told me where to park.
A marshal approached the car and told me to head to next marshal who asked me to wait a moment to let some people out and then directed me to the next marshal who was in a gazebo.
When I got there I was asked to use hand gel and put on a clean mask that was supplied.
I went to a reception desk where my name was taken and booking number and sent on to next marshal.
Marshal directed me to a vaccination cubby (a desk with some screens partly around it.
Nurse took my details and some medical info and because of my allergy history I was told I would have to be done at at hospital so I can't help with the next bit, but if it was as smooth and easy as mine it will be fine.

whenwillthemadnessend · 04/03/2021 20:58

Had mine today. Very well organised loads of staff to talk to. Very socially distanced.

Had to sit in car for 15 mins after and then all fine. Arm doesn't hurt yet and it's been 8 hours so far.

Original poster

Snailandthehedgehog · 04/03/2021 21:00

I was told to take my appointment reference number but then a friend said to make sure I took my nhs number. Which one do i need?

Also, won't they already have all my details on the system as I booked with my nhs number? Why would they need to take my details again?

OP posts:

whenwillthemadnessend · 04/03/2021 21:01

They asked

If you had a positive covid test in last four weeks
If you have allergies
If you take any medication
If you have had a different vaccine of any type in last 7 days
Plus date of birth address etc.

I have allergies to penicillin and was given Astra Zeneca.

Original poster

Snailandthehedgehog · 04/03/2021 21:02

Why do they ask details like date of birth, address, etc? Won't that already be on the system?

OP posts:

whenwillthemadnessend · 04/03/2021 21:03

I wasn't asked to verify my details in any way. I was ticked off a list when they took my name

Mine was a surgery consortium tho not a vacc centre.

Randommother · 04/03/2021 21:03

I dont know what your center will be like, but I can share my experience - I've been volunteering at a vaccination centre at the weekends. Firstly, we have an entry check where your temp is taken and you're asked a couple of questions (do you have a new persistent cough, do you have a loss of taste or smell) to check you dont have covid, then you go to the administration desk where they take your details (name, date of birth, appointment time) and give you a card. You then give your card to the person administrating your vaccine and they run through a check list with you. The jab is given in your upper arm, so wear a tshirt, or a cold shoulder style top. Once you've had the jab you get your card back, get an info leaflet and you can leave. If you have Pfizer then you need to wait 15 mins before leaving, otherwise start to finish is less than 10 mins. Your center may run differently but I'm sure the main steps will be the same. Also, the needle is tiny, you barely feel it. You'll be fine xx

Original poster

Snailandthehedgehog · 04/03/2021 21:04

I just thought that if they have my nhs number, they would already have all those details.

OP posts:

LemonadeBudget · 04/03/2021 21:04

I took both my booking ref and my NHS number.

On arrival etc all I needed was to give my booking ref number, DOB and full name. Once in the cubicle, I was asked if I had my NHS number on me, but I think that allowed them to skip some of the questions I'd heard them ask previous people (such as Drs surgery, medications etc)

Totally anecdotal though obvs!

FannyFifer · 04/03/2021 21:04

I'm a vaccinator at a large centre.
So you go in doors following arrows, arrive at a desk where you will give your name & get checked in. You are then directed to a seat. After this you will be called to a vaccinator who is at a wee table. Give your name, they will ask you some medical questions, get your consent, give you advice for afterwards. Then you get your vaccine & will be asked to wait for 15 mins in another waiting area. It's all socially distanced & everything is cleaned after each person.
Hope this helps.
Should be similar in most centres I think.

Roystonv · 04/03/2021 21:04

Similar to above but I got mine! After medical info bit (nothing too detailed) directed to stand in distanced queue (might be seating where you are) then called into cubicle. Dr had quick check of details, info given, jab given. Left cubicle, walked to car via different door to going in. Every one very friendly, down to earth, all precautions followed. Plenty of people around as stewards at all stages. I too get nervy about going out but don't worry

sylbunny · 04/03/2021 21:05

Usually if they ask for your details again it's to verify that they have the right person. It's just a double check to make sure they aren't ticking the wrong person off the list. The same reason I always have to give my name and address when I have the GP or consultant call me even though they booked the appointment and have all my details.

Is it giving your details that causes some anxiety?

Ilikewinter · 04/03/2021 21:05

They need to confirm who you are and check your details are correct, you'll be surprised how many people make simple errors when completing online forms.

Original poster

Snailandthehedgehog · 04/03/2021 21:05

@LemonadeBudget do they ask you these things to check against their system to make sure it's really you?

OP posts:

Twizbe · 04/03/2021 21:06

@Snailandthehedgehog

I just thought that if they have my nhs number, they would already have all those details.

Usually they ask you for your DOB or address to check they have the right person in front of them.

HalfDutchGirl · 04/03/2021 21:07

I volunteer at a vaccine hub. It’s a small hub and I imagine larger ones may be different but at ours you give your booking number to someone outside who asks if you have any coronavirus symptoms, she checks you in and then you sanitise your hands and go and check in at someone at a computer.

We ask for your NHS number but if you haven’t got it it doesn’t matter, we can find your details by other other information. We then take emergency info if you’ve come on your own, ask you a couple of other simple questions and then you move on to a small queue and wait for your vaccine. You are then asked a couple of medical (simple) questions by the vaccinator who asks which arm you prefer to have the jab. You have the jab and can leave but are asked not to drive for 15 minutes. We give the Oxford vaccine so not required to sit down for 15 minutes afterwards.

I hope that helps. It’s very quick, simple and friendly and if you require a chair we can give you one.

Original poster

Snailandthehedgehog · 04/03/2021 21:07

Sorry, it's just I'm usually so anxious I can barely get two words out

OP posts:

Twizbe · 04/03/2021 21:08

[quote Snailandthehedgehog]@LemonadeBudget do they ask you these things to check against their system to make sure it's really you?[/quote]
It's more like,

Appointment is for Joe Bloggs born 1.1.1971

Person sits down and they are Joe Blog born 2.1.1971 they need to check if they have the details wrong or the wrong person.

They will record on your medical notes that you e had jab one so they can book jab 2

WitchSharkadder · 04/03/2021 21:08

I took my DS to a large vaccination centre last week.

We went in and were given the information to pamphlet to read while we were waiting for a couple of minutes. When we were called over, I was asked to confirm his name & D.O. B, whether he had had covid in the last 4 weeks, had he had any other vaccination in the last 10 days and questions about allergies or adverse reactions. I think that was it (apart from a discussion about whether he has the capacity to consent but I doubt that's relevant to you.

Then he had the jab and we were sent to sit in a secondary waiting area for 15 minutes and then we left.

If it makes you less anxious, it was very efficient, the staff really understanding, reassuring and friendly. I was also very impressed with the distancing and hygiene measures and how well staffed it was. There was also a lovely doctor in the secondary waiting area keeping an eye out for adverse reactions.

Everything went smoothly for us and I'm sure it will for you too. I understand your anxieties about this but I bet it's one of those things that isn't anywhere near as bad as your head builds it up to be. Good luck, OP 😊

Roystonv · 04/03/2021 21:08

They do a lot of checking op. It is not that they don't have your details but rather it is due diligence. Am pretty certain you do not need Nhs number just your appointment reference number.

Twizbe · 04/03/2021 21:08

@Snailandthehedgehog

Sorry, it's just I'm usually so anxious I can barely get two words out

Do you have a number for the vaccine centre? I'd suggest calling ahead and explaining your anxiety. Is there an option to have it at your GP or a place you know better?

BungleandGeorge · 04/03/2021 21:10

They will check more than just your name because it’s possible they will have more than one person with the same details booked in- it does happen!

The centres are run differently so I would recommend you ring 119, ask whether you can speak to the centre as you have anxiety and need someone to explain the process before you get there. There are usually lots of volunteers so they may be able to get somebody to accompany you. Best to do it before you get there and hopefully they can set something up in advance

FannyFifer · 04/03/2021 21:11

We also don't mind if an extremely anxious person has someone with them to support. But also we are really used to supporting people with anxiety through the process, I don't rush anyone. Please try not to worry.

Original poster

Snailandthehedgehog · 04/03/2021 21:11

It's just when I get so nervous, i turn into a big mess and can barely get two words out, so was just hoping to show them a reference number on my phone, etc

OP posts:

LemonadeBudget · 04/03/2021 21:12

[quote Snailandthehedgehog]@LemonadeBudget do they ask you these things to check against their system to make sure it's really you?[/quote]
Presumably yes, but my booking ref was scribbled on a torn off bit of paper so nothing 'official' at all. I always have my NHS number in my phone notes so that was easy to get hold of, and saved them having to ask more questions (I presume)

It was all very friendly, the checks just felt like they were making sure their system was correct, rather than 'Prove It! If yer names not down you ain't getting in!' grilling

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