Going to vaccination appointment with partner

[Hobnob39]

My DH & I (40-49 category) have just found out our appointments for the vaccine - his is 2 weeks before mine and much more local. (We are in Scotland).
My DH is not good in hospitals/with needles and it's quite likely he could faint or at least be a bit wobbly about all of it so I will drive him to his appointment. What I was wondering is if anyone else has been in this situation where they are transporting their partner have they gone in to the building with them? Is it acceptable to do so? Total disclosure - I am hoping that by being there that they might just give me my vaccine at the same time (only if there are spares obv) but that's not the only reason, he genuinely struggles with being a complete wuss about anything medical!
Just wondering the consensus on this? Thanks!

Can you call and ask?

I work at one and we let relatives come in, but we would not vaccinate early as it's all carefully planned and every dose counted.

I’m in England. I know a few couples who have gone to one of theirs vaccinations together, and the partner has asked. They have all been refused.

I have had to take my 81yo mum to her appointments. She is also anxious about anything medical but has coped.

If your DH is likely to find it that much of a problem perhaps call the vax centre and explain the situation.

They wont vaccinate you ahead of schedule

They won't allow anyone other than booked patient into the building , unless you are his carer, nor will there be any spare doses.

Could he delay his and rebook to go when you go?

Oh for goodness sake, I am sure he will cope. They have trained staff there in case he should feel wobbly. There is no need for you to be there and they will have seen it all before re the hope of getting your vaccination early. If we all turned up to our partners appointments in case they feel wobbly there would be chaos.

@BikeRunSki that's interesting as I know a few in England who have had it at the same time as partners when they've turned up with them - which is why I wondered if it might be possible.
@RagzReturnsRebooted that's good to know I am able to be in the building though thanks

When I went for may vaccination, there were more people with someone than came alone. The waiting area had 2 chairs each for each booth, as well as inside the booth for vaccination, so, they were totally expecting someone accompanying someone, I assume.

There was someone who works at a vaccine centre who posted on here recently saying they are getting a bit sick of people turning up for "spares" (as advocated by people on MN!) And it shows things down.....

Slows

Can't comment on the spare vaccine available but is his appt near the end of the day? You could ask when you got there if it was worth you hanging around just in case. But with regards to just being there with him, it wasn't a problem when my husband came with me, although I guess it might depend on the space available, I had my done in a massive hall, might be different in a small surgery or something. I'm an awful needle-phobe and although I would have made myself go if he hadn't been able to come in with me, no one batted an eyelid when I asked.

At our GP vaccination clinic we let people supporting others being vaccinated into the marquee with them, especially for AZ as it is so quick once they are in. I have only a few times seen them get their own vaccination early as a result of turning up.

Depends on the centre. Where I work you would be fine to come in, and we'd do you at the same time.

I work in a mass vaccination centre. We would let you accompany your partner, make sure you let the staff know he might faint.
We would also vaccinate you at the same time.

I know someone who did that and they were vaccinated at the same time even though they were in a younger age group.

When I went to my vaccination centre, there were lots of staff sitting waiting for people.

Just be careful of having it at the same time in case your both unwell. My dp was shaking like mad after his and felt really off the next day. I wouldn't have wanted us both to be ill as I was able to make him drinks etc and he could rest x

Dh came with me - history of previous vaccine reactions and they said to bring someone to wait with me, as they needed me to wait longer in a separate room to check for reactions. He is also first aid trained which helps. Whilst there they told another person who sounded scared that they could have brought their partner in. Having said that you barely feel the needle just tell him not to look. They didn't offer dh a vaccine although he is fully done so would refuse anyway.

DH took his dad and uncle down for their vaccines and his aunt jumped in the car too, to go with them. Her friend had gone with her husband and they offered her the jab while there so she hoped they'd do the same

She claimed she was with uncle as he "doesn't like needles" and the offered her the jab when with him (she is younger and had nothing booked when she went)

It's worth a shot

@rainbowunicorn - If you haven't experience phobia of needles it's v easy to be dismissive. I see from other responses that some places are even set up for having someone accompany them. If I'm there with him (and all others had support too) I don't actually see how it would cause 'chaos' - in fact having ME deal with any faint etc rather than taking staff away from the important job of sticking needles in arms would surely help, not hinder.
That said, i worry about going in the building in the same way as I shop alone etc, to ensure as few people in one space as possible, hence my question.
Having the vaccine 2 weeks early would just be an added bonus, but I def don't expect it!

you barely feel the needle

That is so true. I don't like needle either, so I looked away and braced myself, but it was already over.

Sometimes a parent or child accompanies if a person needs assistance. Generally the vaccine centre staff are reassuring and he should definitely give them a heads up that he is feeling apprehensive. Good luck.

Some centres will do partners on the same day if there is vaccine available, but they operate differently and so there is no guarantee that they will.

Personally, I prefer to vaccinate couples separately. We know that domestic abuse has increased during lockdown and some people have had no opportunity to speak to anyone outside of their home. It's important to give people a moment alone with health professionals.

We can deal with needle phobia - honestly. The biggest blokes with the biggest tattoos are always the ones that like needles the least.

[quote Hobnob39]@BikeRunSki that's interesting as I know a few in England who have had it at the same time as partners when they've turned up with them - which is why I wondered if it might be possible.
@RagzReturnsRebooted that's good to know I am able to be in the building though thanks [/quote]
It's very unlikely. You will get your vaccine in 2 weeks anyway which is no time at all.

You should try and encourage your partner to go on his own if he possibly can, because an extra person in the building increases the number of people and the risks of Covid transmission etc.

If he's a bit wobbly afterwards then the staff are perfectly equipped and trained to look after him there.