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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:

Randommother · 04/03/2021 21:12

The stewards and staff will be used to helping people who are anxious or distressed. If you struggle to speak in these situations then could you write your details down and take them with you, or is there someone who could go with you as a support person?

sylbunny · 04/03/2021 21:13

Ah I see. Then what I would do in your circumstance is write down clearly you're name, address, date of birth, NHS Number, doctors address and emergency contact. Then you can hand them that each time they ask.

PickAChew · 04/03/2021 21:13

I was done at a mass vaccination centre, today. Lots of volunteers ushering me to the right place. Just checked in with the booking number from my confirmation text (or email of you opted from that) and then followed the maze to a large room with about 10 tables, each with 2 volunteers. We had armed forces in, today. One asked me for my NHS number and some basic history eg allergies, any chance of being pregnant, actually asked which arm I preferred, the deed was done with no fuss, and then we went to sit in an area with lots of spaced out plastic seats for either 5 or 15 minutes, depending on whether we had walked or driven in. The area was staffed by a couple of friendly St John's volunteers, who were cleaning seats and having a giggle about boris's attempts in front of the cameras.

I actually feel better than I did after my flu jab in December. My arm isn't even sore.

Original poster

Snailandthehedgehog · 04/03/2021 21:14

Maybe I could just take the invitation letter with my details and write my reference number on there?

OP posts:

LabbyNoona · 04/03/2021 21:15

I don’t know if this is helpful at all but when I’ve had severe anxiety about events like this (which i do, badly!) I ask myself what’s the worse that could happen and what would be the consequences of that, and working backwards from that. I presume your name worst nightmare is making a fool of yourself if you’re not sure what you’re doing or having a panic attack or similar?

Also may be helpful to think that almost everyone turning up for their jabs at the same time as you is in a completely new situation, some will also be very nervous, scared, unsure etc. And the marshals and nurses and all the staff will have seen it all hundreds of times and will be very well used to seeing all different types of people

Beaniecats · 04/03/2021 21:16

Mine was booked by GP and is at the surgery so I don't have a letter or anything presume not required in that case?

PickAChew · 04/03/2021 21:16

@Snailandthehedgehog

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?

Both. They just need to make sure everything is correct.

LabbyNoona · 04/03/2021 21:16

Also take a piece of paper with you with your booking number, NHS number, invitation letter if you have it, DOB, name. Are you having it because of your age/medical condition something else?

BungleandGeorge · 04/03/2021 21:17

The advantage of your nhs number is that it’s unique and they can bring your medical records up to log the vaccine very easily. If you don’t have it they can also search by name/ address/ DOB etc. Some people live with their child of the same name at the same address etc so NHS number prevents mistakes!

sylbunny · 04/03/2021 21:20

Yes take your invitation letter and then write anything that's missing on there!

AutisticID · 04/03/2021 21:21

I think writing down your name, date of birth and nhs number on your invitation letter is a great idea and then if you are too anxious to speak you can show the letter with your details. Hopefully having all that information written down will help alleviate anxiety over what to say so you can concentrate on where to go etc.

Original poster

Snailandthehedgehog · 04/03/2021 21:22

Thank you everyone. I probably sound so ridiculous and I feel so silly but I guess it's just one of those things I have to deal with

OP posts:

Toilenstripes · 04/03/2021 21:24

I noticed that the volunteers and medics were incredibly kind and helpful. I know it can be nerve racking. I didn’t realise until I was leaving the vaccination centre that I was quite anxious, but had blocked it out. Good luck, OP.

LabbyNoona · 04/03/2021 21:27

You don’t sound ridiculous! Anxiety is a right bastard and makes you feel like that, though. Im sure it will go quickly and you’ll be out before you know it

cricketmum84 · 04/03/2021 21:27

I had mine at GP surgery. 10 min gap between each batch of people taken in. Had to give my name at reception, had temp checked on way in then straight through to a room. Had to answer same questions as PP although I think this is just to confirm identity (DOB, postcode etc). The actual injection was quick and painless even though I am a total wuss and was in tears beforehand.

Then sent to sit in reception for 15 mins in case of allergic reaction and a guy shouted out appointment times and who was free to leave.

All very well organised and non-stressful except for my needle phobia 😂

LemonadeBudget · 04/03/2021 21:32

You don't sound ridiculous at all @Snailandthehedgehog

FWIW, I wasn't bothered about the appointment at all, but when I got there and saw it was a 'Park and Walk' set up, I panicked a bit. I'm someone who can set off to drive the length of the country with just my Sat Nav, but ask me to follow a pedestrian walkway and I lose all my faculties.

I had to sit and watch other people walk as far as I could see for a few minutes, before I felt confident enough to attempt. And I needn't have worried because there were stewards all along the way directing me.

Lovelydovey · 04/03/2021 21:32

I took my mum today to a mass vaccination centre for her first vaccine (Astra Zeneca).

Marshal on door asked for booking ref and some basic questions about whether experiencing symptoms now.

Inside we were asked to put on a surgical mask (not our own ones) and to sanitise hands.

We queued to provide personal details and receive a vaccine card.

We queued again to speak to a vaccinator who asked screening questions to confirm eligibility and suitability for vaccine, confirmed contact and GP details and provided information about side effects and what to do about them. We provided him with consent to receive the vaccine.

We queued again for the vaccine itself. It was straight forward and quick and just required confirming details again.

Then we left - less than 15 mins start to end.

Ilovemypantry · 04/03/2021 21:53

I had my vaccination yesterday in a town theatre. I felt quite nervous about going, I think it’s because you’re having something quite momentous done and you’re on your own, I found it quite emotional actually.

The marshalls guide you every step of the way so it’s very easy. Had a temperature check first then gave my details (name and DOB) to the lady at the desk. Sat down for just a minute then was called to a small cubicle where the vaccinator went through the details. Injection done (didn’t feel a thing) then left using the one way system. Was told not to drive for 15 minutes.

Today I’ve been suffering with muscle aches, headache and feeling shivery. Took some paracetamol and spent most of the day in bed. Feeling a bit better now, although still quite achey.

You’ll be fine once you get there, everyone is so nice and helpful and will reassure you if you are nervous.

Torvean · 04/03/2021 22:01

@Snailandthehedgehog

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

Its just the same as when you call your bank and they ask your full address, is it a shared account, do you have an overdraft, name somebody you have a direct debit with?

It's just to clarify it's definitely you. Errors can be made. You can get ppl with the same name/ similair name. Similair addresses etc.

So it's just to make sure the right person gets the injection, and it goes into the right person's notes.

WorriedMillie · 04/03/2021 22:04

You don’t sound remotely ridiculous
Take along your letter, or similar, with all of the required details on it. Maybe also write on the top “I suffer from anxiety”, in case you struggle to get the words out
Everyone I’ve spoken to has said how positive the experience was. My mum was nervous, so I drove her to the appointment and waited in the car. She came out, minutes later, grinning, as a) she was vaccinated and b) the whole process was seamless amd pain free

Melroses · 04/03/2021 22:15

@Snailandthehedgehog

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

Mine was a centre run by a group of GP practices.

The just asked me my name

The rest was all yes or no questions like have you been ill, are you taking blood thinning medication, do you have serious allergies, is this your first covid vaccine, do you want the vaccine? etc.

I got asked some of these more than once with different people.

I get worried about standing in the wrong line or something but I think they have all done it for a while now and have got that one covered

pinkpetal2 · 04/03/2021 22:22

Random but I had a reaction to a tetnus jab when I was a child and had to go to hospital would this come under an allergy now?

FannyFifer · 04/03/2021 23:57

Did you need adrenaline & have you had a reaction to anything else? Have you had other vaccinations since?

Womencanlift · 05/03/2021 00:07

I walked in and was met by a Marshall and had to show my letter (I was about 10 minutes early but it was quiet so they let me in) they then made me sanitize my hands.

Handed off to second Marshall who directed me to a desk where someone checked my letter and ticked me off a list.

Second Marshall then directed me to a nurse who then directed me to a desk. Nurse at desk had a tablet, typed in my reference number from my letter and then asked me my personal details to validate I was who the tablet said I was

Was then asked a serious of questions (health issues, have I had covid in last four weeks, some more I can’t remember). She then told me what vaccine I was getting and I had to verbally confirm that I was happy to get it

Was then vaccinated and she then asked if I had walked or drove. Because I had come in my car I was directed to a waiting area where I had to sit for ten minutes to make sure I didn’t have any side effects

After that I walked out. Place was so quiet that I had a chat with the nurse who gave me the jag and also one who was supervising the waiting area. It was all very calm

CornishYarg · 05/03/2021 00:54

I volunteer at two different vaccine centres, one is a small pharmacy and the second is a larger centre in a hall. Both give the AstraZeneca vaccine.

For both, on arrival you join a distanced queue outside. As people go in, they're asked to sanitise their hands and someone checks them in on an ipad. They ask for the booking reference, get them to confirm their name and DOB and ask for confirmation that they don't have Covid symptoms.

At the pharmacy, the next step is to go straight to a cubicle. An administrator asks for a few details in order to locate their record on the computer and the vaccinator asks about allergies, whether they've had a vaccine recently, explains possible side effects etc. Then they're given the jab. If they're driving, they have to wait in a separate area for 15 mins, otherwise they can leave straightaway.

At the larger centre, a marshall checks their name off on a list which also shows their NHS number. The NHS number is written on the back of the vaccine card and is then used to locate their record at the remaining stations, although they will still ask people to confirm their name and DOB to double check they've got the right person. The next station is screening so questions about allergies, any symptoms, recent vaccines etc and possible side effects are explained. The final station is the vaccine itself. The marshalls direct people between the stations. Anyone driving is told to wait 10 mins in their car before setting off but this isn't monitored.

If it would help, you can take someone with you. And tell them you're nervous; several people do tell us and we do our best to help as much as we can.

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