Getting a vaccine: can someone talk me through what to expect (severe anxiety)

[polelynn]

Hello

I find myself in the age bracket to book my vaccine however I have severe anxiety and barely leave home (due to an irrational fear of contracting Covid heightened by pre-existing trauma). I am awaiting therapy but started on medication a few weeks ago.

I have been working up to going for walks in wide open spaces where I can put plenty of distance between myself and others but I have no idea how I'm actually going to get myself through those doors to have my jab and be in close proximity to others. The very idea makes me feel incredibly nervous. This is going to be a big step for me and obviously it's not been helped by all the coverage surrounding the vaccine and blood clots.

Can someone talk me through the process and what to expect please?

It totally depends on the test centre. Mine was super clean but I was in a room with at least 50 people for 30 minutes. My husband’s was different. He had to wait in the car and was in the room for not more that 5 minutes he had AZ though so didn’t have to wait after. I would speak to them in advance and explain your situation. I’m sure they would be very flexible for you.

Thank you. Your scenario is what I am dreading as I know confronted with that, right now, would be overwhelming.

Do you know if it will be at your gp or a big centre? The process is probably the same either way but proximity of other people and the type of space might be different.
Mine was at the gp and it was beautifully organized. I had a wait for a couple of minutes outside, then got checked in by a lady at the entrance, then had to stand around in the waiting room with one other person for a few more minutes then followed signs to a room where a pharmacist did the jab. It was much less stressful than going to the doctor normally!
Everything was carefully planned for social distancing and it was all very clear at each stage what to do and where to go next.

DF's was done at doctor's surgery - they were doing 2 people at a time, each in a different consulting room and DF was in and out in less than 3 minutes.

DH and I were done at local vaccination centre - don't know whether we were just lucky but there was no queue, tables set well apart with screens between them - it's actually a college sports hall so plenty of space, when I was there about 4 people getting their vaccines at the same time. Again, in and out in about 2 minutes.

I'm sure if you let the staff know you're feeling nervous they'll answer your questions and try to allay your fears as much as possible - you definitely won't be the only person who is anxious. Must admit I had a big grin on my face behind my mask after I'd had the jab and DH said there was almost a palpable party atmosphere when he went for his!

Enter when invited, check in at table where given leaflet and card, shown to chair, move to booth when asked, a few questions and spiel about the vaccine, injection, given card back with printed sticker added - type of vaccine, batch, date, directed to table to check out where given next appointment date, leave.

Lots of volunteers managing the flow, another wiping over chairs. In and out within 10 minutes.

I’m a volunteer vaccinator. Where I’ve been everyone queues up following social distancing and is booked in. They then wait in the seating area (although sometimes there is no queue and straight into the pod for their vaccination). If you are seated, you are called and shown to one of the pods for the vaccination. Your details are checked, you are asked about your medical history and you then are given the vaccine. You are then shown to a different waiting area to check you have no reaction. You are then free to go home.

It’s a very positive place and people leave with a smile on their face.

Enter when invited, check in at table where given leaflet and card, shown to chair, move to booth when asked, a few questions and spiel about the vaccine, injection, given card back with printed sticker added - type of vaccine, batch, date, directed to table to check out where given next appointment date, leave.

Lots of volunteers managing the flow, another wiping over chairs. In and out within 10 minutes.

On arrival at the reception there was no queue and I was met by a receptions behind a glass screen.

When I went through to the hall it was the size of a large gymnasium. There were 6 desks each with 2 medics at them wearing masks.

I went to my assigned desk.

A quick chat then got my jag and then I was invited to go and wait in my car for 15 minutes before driving home.

Thank you all. That's helpful. At the moment I can book for the area's vaccination hub as not heard via GP. It would be good to know if there is a quieter time of day or day of the week to attend but assume there is no way to call to find this out?

When I went it was very controlled with a lot of staff. Someone at rhe door ro point you ro someone taking names. Someone else points you to the vaccination room which is a small consulting room with one staff member. They are at a desk and check your details again as you sit next to them and then the vaccination itself which takes a few seconds. Then you go back to reception and wait twenty minutes to make sure there are no side effects. They give you a sticker with time of vaccination to check this. In the place I went there were only five other people waiting to go. All doors left open for ventilation. There are so many staff members and it is so well organised i am sure if you explain at them door or phone ahead they could make arrangements for you to spend Hebe twenty minutes outside/ensure you go straight in or any other arrangements. Hope it goes well x

Mine was at a Drs surgery who are a vaccine hub for the local area. I queued up outside with lots of other people but all socially distanced. When I got to the door I was shown straight into a room where there was a man who took my details and asked me a few questions, the nurse then did the injection and I was out. I was in the room no more than 3 minutes and didn’t have to wait afterwards in the waiting room as I wasn’t driving.

@polelynn

Thank you all. That's helpful. At the moment I can book for the area's vaccination hub as not heard via GP. It would be good to know if there is a quieter time of day or day of the week to attend but assume there is no way to call to find this out?

My second appointment was one of the first of the day and I turned up ten minutes early and they waved me through. I would recommend going for one of the earliest ones you can because even if it’s busy you run less risk of running into a snarl up queuing for some reason.

If you say which vaccination hub, people will be able to give you better advice/information.

Given the numbers, it won't be 'outing'.

It may be your vaccination hub has posted a youtube video showing what to expect with a walkthrough the process. Our local one has. Have you googled to check?

I went to a massive centre. Thurs mid afternoon. There were five people ahead of me in the queue and I was in and out in about ten mins. I was seen immaterial at the reception desk. Then joined the queue. Which is fully social distanced and everyone in masks, and within about two mins, due to the amount of vaccinators was in a room about to be vaccinated

My husband went at a lunch time and there were about twenty ahead of him in the queue.

It’s in show your phone or paperwork with the booking ref, go to reception bit, get booked in they just take your booking ref, name etc, they tell you what vaccine, join the queue, get sent to a cubicle. Go in, two people, one working a computer, one doing the jabs, they ask you a few questions Ie allergies etc, then you’re told about side effects, like you might get some cold or flu symptoms etc, then they vaccinate you and you leave.

It’s that simple. 💐

Mine was today at a major vaccination hub - it was really really quiet! I was the only person checking in at about 12 available stations, I was straight into the vaccination, again nearly all were available. Then I had to sit in a waiting area for 15 minutes, there were maybe 10 other people but lots more chairs thanthat, so loads of space between everyone. I was worried beforehand but need not have been, it was a pleasant experience.

Mentioning how I am to a member of staff outside might be a good idea, thank you for suggesting that unicorn69. I'd just rather avoid being inside with others as much as possible. These drive throughs I've seen in the US would be an ideal option for me.

Forgot to say mine was at lunchtime..

you don't need to be an anxiety sufferer to be worried about this, it is quite strange for all of us who have been able to keep our distance.

It does depend on the venue, but for mine it was maybe five minutes standing in a distanced waiting area, about 3 mins to go through the questions and be vaccinated and then I was off. 100% masks from the door and although I didn't seen any chinstrap types, I think they would be reminded.

Top tip - if at all possible get someone to drive you there even for the AZ where there is no waiting time after. They will then be happy to let you go as someone will be keeping an eye on you. This may be different if it is the Pfizer. Just go with the flow.

I liked the 'check your brain at the door' thing - they will tell you where to stand and where to go, even direct you out of the one-way when you leave.

you don't need to worry about quieter times, the NHS system gives you exact appointment times. You'll probably want to arrive early but wait in your car or outside until it is your time.

They have long ironed out the wrinkles and keep tweaking things to make venues run super smoothly.

@polelynn - it’s hard to judge if there is a quieter time as although the appointments are spaced out, some people are late, other early. I would suggest mid morning as the best time as many other people pick after work hours, lunchtime and evenings

My GF had his done at home by practice nurse due to health, is this something you could enquire about ?

Mine was at a big centre and yes, it did involve being inside with many people for about 30 minutes. However, the centre set up is designed by people who understand how to minimise the risk of person-to-person transmission. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed. Everyone was adhering to the guidance on maintaining space and wearing a mask. Speaking to someone when you arrive about how you feel would probably help a lot.

There is a lot of variety in the queueing systems as each centre has to work round the constraints of space, flow and numbers.
The place I volunteer is
I had mine done in a large supermarket where some glitch that day meant we had to queue longer than usual. Not recommended.

My husband had his done at a local golf club (closed to golfers at the time). You queued sitting in your car (they put a number under the wiper blades) and only entered the clubhouse when they were ready for you. Only 3 patients at a time inside, one per bay. He thought it was great.

Neighbour had his at a small local pharmacy. You arrived 5 minutes ahead of your appointment, queued outside and were taken straight in when it was your turn. Highly recommended.

Ask around, local facebook groups will be able to give advice about different venues. A friend was freaking out about going to her appointment at large Civic Centre and after asking around, she changed it to local pharmacy and said it was fine.

Find out what best fits your needs

At the vaccination centres I've worked at, if you tell the first person you meet who asks for your name and date of birth that you are feeling very anxious, they will look after you. Or if you can take another member of your household to go and have that conversation at the reception point, then that may be even better.
So many people comment on how efficient the process is, especially for the AZ vaccine as you do not need to wait afterwards unless you will be driving home.

@polelynn

Mentioning how I am to a member of staff outside might be a good idea, thank you for suggesting that unicorn69. I'd just rather avoid being inside with others as much as possible. These drive throughs I've seen in the US would be an ideal option for me.

There are some drive-throughs in UK