Highly anxious - please walk me through the vaccination appointment

[Snailandthehedgehog]

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.

@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?

I didn't need my NHS number and I doubt you will be turned away without it. I only gave my name (out of town center).

It really won't be a problem if you just show the reception an NHS letter addressed to you and your booking confirmation.

@FannyFifer Hi no I don't think I've reacted to anything else I've had the Hep B vacc and the cervical one in school. I think that's it and I defo didn't have adrenaline I don't think. I'm not entirely sure what happened I think I was very young maybe 3 or 4?

When I went, in group 6 so in response to GP text, I didn't self book, I took my phone with text and appointment confirmation on. No idea of my NHS number.

When we arrived (DH and I both group 6) we were asked our appointment time and directed to a car parking space. We were told to wait in car til appointment time (were 10 min early). A Marshall came over after a while and directed us to a socially distanced queue. The standing points were marked on the floor and a Marshall monitored the queue. Once inside we sanitised hands - they were very insistent on that. Someone asked our names, and ticked us off on a sheet. We were asked if we were health or care workers, not sure why.

We then waited in another queue and were called forward to a booth where the vaccinator introduced themself and asked if we had had covid recently, had any allergies, or had any other vaccine in the last 7 days. We were injected and given a card. We got Pfizer so we were given a sticker with the time we were injected on (eg 11.01) which we had to wear prominently and go and sit on a chair for 15 min. Then we were allowed out, sanitising on the way. Took about 30 min. I could have managed by saying my name, date of birth, yes and no.

@Snailandthehedgehog. Take a little note with your details on to pass to them. There are lots of folk who become non verbal in stressful situations and i would hope staff at a medical centre are trained to acknowledge this. You can always contact the centre and ask if there is a walk through video they can share of the process in the building (might be security issues though i suppose )

My information sheet said I could take someone to support me if I needed it. I don’t know whether you have someone who could come and speak for you.

But they were really good at guiding you through. The last thing they want is flustered people not knowing what to do or where to go.

@Snailandthehedgehog - I saw these lovely virtual guides to having a Covid vaccination, with walk throughs and photos and videos, which are aimed at people with a learning disability but frankly are useful for anyone! Thought you might have a look - although every vaccine site will be slightly different, there will be lots of similarities with the one you'll be going to.

You definitely don't need your NHS number. Your booking reference number will be useful but if you forget it, they'll still be able to track you down with your name, date of birth, address.

It will be like a well-oiled machine, everyone will be there to help you and will want to help you be as comfortable as possible. Good luck and well done for mentally preparing in advance!

@pinkpetal2 I would be happy to do someone's vaccination based on that, you'll be fine. 👍
Prime example of why we double double check details happened to me today. Guy gave me his name let's say Alan & a common surname, checked system said he was checked In & was 65, he looked a lot younger, so I ask date of birth, totally different, his name was spelled Allan & he was only in his 30s. Thought of this thread when it happened.