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Covid

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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:

BigButtons · 20/03/2021 20:49

I felt a scratch and my arm filling with liquid. I don’t mind needles at all though. I give blood.

Acesulfame · 21/03/2021 12:55

Had mine yesterday. He came over with the trolley, he asked me which arm, I glanced over the other side of the room because something was happening, when I looked back he told me he’d done it. I didn’t feel anything.

Arm felt slightly heavy for a couple of hours but fine after that and no other side effects.

NeedWineNow · 21/03/2021 13:30

I had mine yesterday at the vaccination centre at our local pharmacy. I was in and out in no time. She asked me what arm I wanted it in, and I mentioned that I am allergic to penicillin - she said there was no penicillin in either vacccine. She held my arm and told me to breathe and next thing I was done! She told me that common after effects are a stiff arm and/or flu-like symptoms, which I had last night and am feeling a bit now, but otherwise all good.

Original poster

Onedaysomedaynowadays · 21/03/2021 15:12

What's it like in the vaccination centres? Is there just loads of people around you all getting done?

Wondering whether to wait until really near the end so hopefully I can just go to the usual practice nurse at the usual surgery

OP posts:

Acesulfame · 21/03/2021 19:12

I was done at a very large vaccination centre. There were other people there at the same time getting theirs done and it was “busy”. However, you were distanced from the other members of the public, asked to change to a clean mask on entry (they provide), and there are staff to take you through every step of the process. I’d estimate from entering to leaving I was probably in and out within 10-15 mins.

Umbivalent · 21/03/2021 19:14

@Onedaysomedaynowadays

What's it like in the vaccination centres? Is there just loads of people around you all getting done?

Wondering whether to wait until really near the end so hopefully I can just go to the usual practice nurse at the usual surgery

There is a shortage of vaccines on the way. I'd do it ASAP, if I were you.

Believe it or not, they are very stringent about Covid safety at the vaccination centres

Umbivalent · 21/03/2021 19:19

@XenoBitch

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

Comments like that are really not helpful when someone has a phobia.

No harm in stating some facts!

Anyway OP, I hope you've been reassured by all these responses.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/03/2021 19:39

You clearly don't have a phobia @Umbivalent. If you did you'd know that 'stating facts', aka being nasty, doesn't make any difference.

annabellacomestotea · 21/03/2021 19:52

I was scared to have mine (not scared of needles, but all the news around the vaccine left me feeling frightened.) I did get mine done, had a very mild panic attack on the day, but it was fine. The actual vaccine takes less than a second and you don't feel it. Maybe you can ask your GP for something to take for your anxiety on the day?

Goingferalonfurlough · 22/03/2021 11:13

I’m really scared of injections after a lengthy illness a few years ago. I had my jab on Saturday and can honestly say I didn’t feel a thing. I was in and out in minutes and have had no side effects at all. I’d worried myself silly about it and almost cancelled but I’m so glad I didn’t.

Nihonko · 22/03/2021 11:17

@Motorina

Most of these vaccinators will have given more injections in the last three months than the average GP gives in years! You're going to be getting someone super-duper experienced.

I would second this. Also remember that in normal times, HCAs give the most vaccines in primary care settings.

Also no matter where you get your vaccine; there always be nurses/paramedics/doctors on-site as clinical leads.

namechange63524 · 22/03/2021 11:47

@ilovesooty

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

This

Comefromaway · 22/03/2021 11:51

I'm needle phobic too but I think I'm going to be OK with that. However I am a dreadful emetophobe and I've head of it making several people sick. I'm terrified of that and other side effects.

Comefromaway · 22/03/2021 11:53

@PuzzledObserver

I actually have no idea what qualification the person who vaccinated me had - they were wearing ordinary clothes, no uniform, no name badge. I think a nurse or a St John Ambulance volunteer would have been in uniform, so could have been a doctor, a pharmacist, or even a vet as far as I know! But I’m pretty sure they had done hundreds, probably thousands, before they got to me.

A friend who in normal times is an air stewardess says that quite a lot of cabin crew have trained as vaccinators. They have to have a high level of first aid training anyway so it was just a step further.

Sansaplans · 22/03/2021 12:16

@Onedaysomedaynowadays

What's it like in the vaccination centres? Is there just loads of people around you all getting done?

Wondering whether to wait until really near the end so hopefully I can just go to the usual practice nurse at the usual surgery

I guess it will vary, but the one I went to was great. Very organized, no hanging around, and the vaccination bit itself was in a marquee so lots of ventilation. I didn't feel 'unsafe' at any point and was hesitant about going. The jabs were administered in little curtained cubicles (if that makes sense) so had some privacy.

ineedaholidayandwine · 22/03/2021 12:19

I hate needles too OP and dread my flu jab/travel vaccines, had my covid vaccine and didn't feel a thing!

ineedaholidayandwine · 22/03/2021 12:32

@Onedaysomedaynowadays

What's it like in the vaccination centres? Is there just loads of people around you all getting done?

Wondering whether to wait until really near the end so hopefully I can just go to the usual practice nurse at the usual surgery

I was at one of the large hubs, very organised, locals to one side, out of town to another side, large tents well heated on a cold day. Checked my text message at the entrance and told me which colour to follow, another person checked again at the door, stood in a line, got asked DOB, have i had a positive Covid test within 28 days, after that moved along to join to que for the jab, waited 5 mins before being called into a booth, few more questions inc any allergies, general chit chat in which time she'd done the jab and i hadn't noticed, as my husband drove me i was allowed to leave straight away, if you make your own way there they ask you sit for 15 mins in a waiting zone. Was in there about 15 mins from arrival to leaving

Beamur · 22/03/2021 12:38

I had mine last week. Very skilled staff. I didn't even see the needle!
It's the least uncomfortable injection I've ever had. Honestly.
Definitely speak to someone when you arrive so they can make it as easy as possible for you. Good luck.

lampygirl · 22/03/2021 13:13

As a fellow needlephobe I found the mass vacc centre really took away a lot of the associated stresses that I think make my needles fear much worse. it wasn't full of bright lights, beeps and the smell of a medical setting. I turned up at my appointment time (deliberately the last slot of the day hoping it would be less busy) and was shepherded straight through, no half an hour in a waiting room to work myself up worse, it felt like going in to a concert or sporting event. The bloke doing my vaccination was clearly not a regular dr/nurse and this to me was also reassuring. None of that 'sharp scratch' bollocks, no ceremonial performance to the arm like they do when you have to have a blood test (not that i've managed one of those in the last 10 years) I said to just do it when he was ready and he did, the whole routine was different. I was also allowed my partner with me the whole way through. I came away thinking I would go back to a football club/office block/conference centre or whatever to have a jab again, but I still wouldn't go to my GP for one, as the environment made it so much less stressful.

Pearl97 · 22/03/2021 13:19

I had mine today at Villa Park in Birmingham. My goodness they were amazing with me. I couldn’t stop crying when I was giving my booking details. I lady took me straight to the front and to a lovely man that checked my details. I then was taken to a side room and a lovely nurse gave me the injection. The lady from the start then came to check on me. Everyone was amazing.
I’d say I’m on the very severe end of needle phobic. Honestly they were amazing with me. I have refused lots of vaccines in the past - but this one really affects others too. I’m so glad I went. I will always be grateful for the help they gave me.

Sansaplans · 22/03/2021 13:46

@Pearl97

I had mine today at Villa Park in Birmingham. My goodness they were amazing with me. I couldn’t stop crying when I was giving my booking details. I lady took me straight to the front and to a lovely man that checked my details. I then was taken to a side room and a lovely nurse gave me the injection. The lady from the start then came to check on me. Everyone was amazing. I’d say I’m on the very severe end of needle phobic. Honestly they were amazing with me. I have refused lots of vaccines in the past - but this one really affects others too. I’m so glad I went. I will always be grateful for the help they gave me.

Amazing @Pearl97, you should be proud of yourself :)

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