Are you one of the people who is very very reluctantly going to get vaccinated?

[Itsnotyourchoiceanymore]

Could you please tell me how you are managing the stress/anxiety surrounding it? I don’t want this vaccine- but I’m being forced to go for it. I’m so worried nervous that I cannot sleep properly.I need to book the bloody thing soon but I just cannot bring myself to do it..I’m 40 so not sure which one I’ll get.

Our government may backtrack on the vaccine passport, but that doesn't mean that private businesses won't require them, nor that the unvaccinated will necessary be accepted in other countries.

@Zzelda

Our government may backtrack on the vaccine passport, but that doesn't mean that private businesses won't require them, nor that the unvaccinated will necessary be accepted in other countries.

If it is not law, then private businesses are not really in a position to mandate it.

I am really suspicous of any medication, despite being a health care professional. I was so, so scared having the vaccine. But I did it, twice! Took 4 months to have the second one though. Yes, there were some side effects but as a health care professional I have seen the deaths and trauma caused by the virus too well and it was a low price to pay. It wasn't that bad in the end. I had made it a big thing in my mind only. I do think as females, especially Mums, we are designed to worry, to protect ourselves so we can protect our families. It is a good sign! But I do feel so much better for having it. I know I am less likely to get really ill now and leave them to cope alone. That is what we all want really, isn't it?

I think that the reason this feels so scary OP is that you are consciously getting something going in to your body.

We are also potentially getting something (virus) into our body anytime we are with people. However it is not an ‘action’ it is more passive.

We are built to think very carefully about what goes into our bodies, it’s survival. We are also accustomed to hygiene and ‘revulsion’ so we keep away from things that potentially harm. However the air we breath can’t be seen as harmful otherwise we’d hold out breath!

LOGICALLY and TRUTHFULLY - there is much, much less potential harm from getting the vaccine than there is sitting on a bus or talking to X and getting covid. However it is totally natural to feel far more nervous of the vaccine.

So I’d say to you OP, you are probably pinning a lot of logic to your fears of the vaccine, in order to make more sense of your fear. However if you see the fear as it is, understand it, then know that your course of action is protective for you.

Im very reluctantly having it tomorrow. My boss asked me outright yesterday if I was able to get the vaccine, and I automatically said yes (technically not a lie as I have been able, just unwilling) Have been tortured about being asked for proof ever since. So many people in my work talk about it as our industry regs now say that vaccinated people don't have to wear masks, so anyone wearing one is asked 15 times a day, "aren't you vaccinated?". So rude, but I can't lose my job and related side business, which I will if people hear im a refuser. I've decided to risk the j+j vaccine as its 1 and done, even though I'm under 50. Im not in Uk btw.

I would be happy to wear a mask indefinitely and socially distance as I wouldn't want to put anyone at risk but that isn't good enough for the pro vaxxers. Where I live it has been announced that employers can ask for proof of vaccination. I didn't want to get the vaccine for a couple of years, but that 'choice' has been taken from me.

It is all so difficult. I am certain now that I will not be able to get my second dose, as I still have side effects from the first dose. I desperately wanted my Covid protection.
I am now already wondering how I will manage with tradesmen needing to come to my house. It works both ways. I will need to keep out of their way, hopefully I will be able to go outside as it is summer.
However, I would like to know that they have been vaccinated - I assume it would be a cheek to ask?!

@WalkthisWayUK

I think that the reason this feels so scary OP is that you are consciously getting something going in to your body.

We are also potentially getting something (virus) into our body anytime we are with people. However it is not an ‘action’ it is more passive.

We are built to think very carefully about what goes into our bodies, it’s survival. We are also accustomed to hygiene and ‘revulsion’ so we keep away from things that potentially harm. However the air we breath can’t be seen as harmful otherwise we’d hold out breath!

LOGICALLY and TRUTHFULLY - there is much, much less potential harm from getting the vaccine than there is sitting on a bus or talking to X and getting covid. However it is totally natural to feel far more nervous of the vaccine.

So I’d say to you OP, you are probably pinning a lot of logic to your fears of the vaccine, in order to make more sense of your fear. However if you see the fear as it is, understand it, then know that your course of action is protective for you.

Fantastic post.

@penni00 I think knowing someone is vaccinated or not is not going to help you. Vaccination does not prevent you catching or transmitting the virus. You can also be asymptomatic so sadly this knowledge will not make a bit of difference. What side effects are you still experiencing and are you sure they are a result of the vaccine? Would be better to get this checked out.

@WalkthisWayUK thank you! That’s exactly it, I’m trying to attach logic to my fear and going in circles.

I haven’t rescheduled my appointment yet- I’m trying not to think about it too much. Let’s see how far I get.

If it’s any consolation, I was massively anxious about my vaccine.

I’m a scientist within health so I do know logically that getting a vaccine is going to protect my health more than not. I also know that I do have a responsibility as a citizen to others, and so thought a lot about my mother and how getting vaccinated will help her (covid would kill her).

However I actually wanted to run out of the vaccine centre! As also being a scientist I’d read about any tiny, tiny risk and it is hard not to be aware of this. I do think we need safe spaces to air our worries about the vacccines and not be branded horrible people. And I also believe that as a society we should making it a person’s choice, it’s the only way.

If it helps @Itsnotyourchoiceanymore the thing that got me through going to the vaccine centre was ‘centering’ my thoughts on everyone else. My mum. My children. I told myself I was doing it for them. I looked at everyone in the queue, and also thought, wow we are all here to help each other. People as nervous as me. People who could well be more susceptible to allergic reactions or blood clots - they were here too. That got me through it!

@WalkthisWayUK thank you and I do genuinely understand the pints you have made.

But my anxiety is not letting go/ I feel this jab is going to change my life with a long term issue if not I’ll be dead by this time next week if I take this jab, I might end up having a massive panic attack in the vaccine centre, who knows. I’m not comfortable with this at all

I did have a mini panic attack in the vaccine centre! Kept it to myself - although very nearly called the nurse.

You have to make your own choice. All I can say is that our anxiety is natural so don’t push it away. It’s just there. But do make your decision, if you can, on the logic side. You could always turn up and just decide on the day. Which is what I did. And they were so lovely it really helped.

[quote Itsnotyourchoiceanymore]@WalkthisWayUK thank you and I do genuinely understand the pints you have made.

But my anxiety is not letting go/ I feel this jab is going to change my life with a long term issue if not I’ll be dead by this time next week if I take this jab, I might end up having a massive panic attack in the vaccine centre, who knows. I’m not comfortable with this at all[/quote]
Don’t have it then. Really.

I think if you’re health anxiety is this bad you really need to get some help with that first and foremost. That is not a good way to live.