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Original poster

Secretly terrified of the having the vaccine

71 replies

Onedaysomedaynowadays · 20/03/2021 00:38

Not because of the vaccine itself (although I suppose I'm mildly apprehensive about it) but mainly because I'm needle phobic. I usually talk myself into having vaccines because it's a nurse/doctor giving to me and they're experts etc. But the thought of a random vaccinator giving me it is massively freaking me out. I'm way down the list so not something I'm going to have to face for awhile but I can't stop thinking about it ☹️

OP posts:
Houseofvelour · 20/03/2021 00:42

My sister is phobic of needles so has registered herself to have talking therapy to help overcome it before she's offered her jab.
Is this something you feel would help?

Defiantly41 · 20/03/2021 00:42

You're better off having someone who is really practised (ie this is all they do) rather than a generalist who does a few vaccinations alongside other work

ComDummings · 20/03/2021 00:46

Just think of how many injections a vaccinator has done though! Loads and loads. So they’re the best person to do it over many doctors. Just think, take a deep breath, close your eyes and it’s done! Just like that. Quick and easy.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 20/03/2021 00:51

They might not have been great 6 weeks ago but they've been jabbing arms all over the shop since then. I'm having my second jab in the next week.
You aren't getting the work experience bod :)

BluePeterVag · 20/03/2021 00:55

I felt exactly the same. Have to sit down for blood tests and have been close to fainting before. Genuinely didn’t feel a thing. I was hearing myself up for it, he said the sharp scratch thing, and I was waiting, and had finished before I knew it had begun.
I was truly amazed and not at all fearful of my second dose.

SpringSparrow · 20/03/2021 00:55

The person who gave me my vaccine was a doctor.

DarcyJack · 20/03/2021 00:56

There are no random vaccinators! Each and every one of them has been properly trained and this far into the programme think how many they have done. And sorry but doctors are in the main not particularly skilled vaccinators as is not something most of them routinely do. They are more than capable obviously, but wont have as many under their belt as other groups of professionals

QueenPaw · 20/03/2021 00:57

Mine was a pharmacist at the vaccine centre and was lovely Smile
My friend is also giving vaccines, he actually used to be (until very recently) an advanced paramedic. So there's lots of different ones!
I am awful with needles, used to have to be held down for bloods, refused treatments before because of them. Now I have to inject myself every week! I still don't like it but it gets easier

XenoBitch · 20/03/2021 00:59

All vaccinators will have been trained, and at the point you get your vaccine, whoever is doing it will have carried out hundreds already.

Totallydefeated · 20/03/2021 00:59

See a hypnotherapist and your fear/phobia will soon be gone. No need to suffer, it’s easily treated.

campion · 20/03/2021 01:02

I honestly didn't feel a thing either. She said 'sharp scratch' which seems de rigeur these days but all I felt was someone very lightly touching my arm. And if you don't look at the needle/syringe -I don't - you never need to see it.

AnotherSunrise · 20/03/2021 01:11

Seriously I didn't even notice I'd had it, don't worry x

notangelinajolie · 20/03/2021 01:13

Random vaccinators are a worry. I have to have regular B12 jabs which can be quite stingy and give you an achy arm afterwards if the needle is blunt or too big. I am thinking this sounds like some peoples experience of of the Covid jab.

I always try to book in for one particular nurse who has never failed to give me a pain free B12 jab. But with Covid jab you don't get any say in who gives you your jab so unfortunately it's pot luck on the day.

I think on balance it's just a case of getting the job done, achy arms and stingy jabs are a price worth paying.

Pinksatin · 20/03/2021 01:15

You literally can’t feel a thing. I didn’t even think I was jabbed until I had the sore arm. Takes only a second and you don’t even see needle.

partyatthepalace · 20/03/2021 02:07

You won't even feel it.

The person who did mine was a nurse, but they have all been trained and will be well practiced - it is not a difficult task.

NotQuiteUsual · 20/03/2021 04:09

I'm very nervous of injections, but the AZ was literally painless. I felt it but it wasn't painful in the least. It was ridiculously quick too.

Now I did faint afterwards because of my anxiety and because I didn't eat enough beforehand for the levels of stress I went through. But again, they handled it like true professionals. Popped me behind a screen, checked me over, fed me biscuits(very fancy ones too) made me feel so looked after. Then when I was reasy, home I went. So make sure you've eaten well and have plenty of time to get there without having to get stressed. You can 100% do this. What happened to me is the worst case scenario and it was no bother at all. Just tell them you're phobic, wait the 15 ninutwa afterwards and don't be afraid to speak to them.

ilovesooty · 20/03/2021 04:12

I hate needles and I didn't feel a thing.

bastaebasta · 20/03/2021 04:21

What is it about the needle that you normally don't like?

For me, simply not looking makes any type of jab bearable. I make sure the person jabbing me knows I don't want to see, give them clear access to my arm, and turn my head away. Not liking needles is very very common, so admitting to that will typically get a kind response.

The random vaccinators will all have had loads of experience by the time they get to you, so even if they're not trained doctors/nurses, they will have still learnt how to jab people effectively by the time it's your turn. I'd take comfort in that - they've already practised and learned on other people.

Longdistance · 20/03/2021 04:29

Both my db and dm have had theirs and didn’t feel a thing. I really hate needles, so I look away when they do it. I have mine next week, eek!

ArtemisiaGentle · 20/03/2021 04:36

I don't like needles but despite the nurse warning of a sharp scratch I didn't feel a thing. I tend to look away and breathe slowly and deeply, and quickly imagine a calm scene like a forest or beach. Mindfulness also helps.

MeanderingGently · 20/03/2021 05:29

If you tell them at the vaccination centre when you arrive that you are afraid and fearful of needles, they will assist you and support you through it. They are very knowledgeable and kindly, my friend is needle phobic and was shaking, she was so terrified. They were lovely with her and she got through it, and is now happier about going for her 2nd jab. They really are good at the centres....

WanderingFruitWonderer · 20/03/2021 07:21

You have my empathy OP. I'm very anxious too. For a variety of reasons. I've lost sleep due to the worry.
I think there are many of us out there secretly very anxious about it. But, we're afraid to say it out loud for fear of allegations of ingratitude or whatever.
I'm even secretly pleased that the current supply problem will delay me having to deal with it till May or so (I think it would have been April before) whilst obviously simultaneously feeling very sorry for the people who are desperate to have it, and upset by the delay.
It's weird in my case, as I've been so careful with the lockdown rules, and taken the virus very seriously. So, you'd think I'd be overjoyed at the prospect of being vaccinated. But I'm not! It's complex, as I loathe big pharma generally.
Anyway, I wish you well OP. I'm sure we'll both be absolutely fine, and very relieved, when it's done and dusted.
Take care

knittingaddict · 20/03/2021 07:53

@SpringSparrow

The person who gave me my vaccine was a doctor.
Yes, mine was a gp.
Umbivalent · 20/03/2021 07:56

Doctors are most certainly not experts in giving jabs!

I had my jab yesterday, the needle was so thin that I didn't feel it.

If you get Covid and end up in hospital, there'll be a lot more needles involved...

Dailywalk · 20/03/2021 07:58

I hate needles too. I always tell someone I’m nervous and they usually chat to take my mind off it. I asked not to be told when it was going in once and I tense up when they say ‘you’ll just feel a small scratch’. I’m sure they see lots of people who are anxious.