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Original poster

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

240 replies

Itsnotyourchoiceanymore · 27/05/2021 20:37

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.

OP posts:
BananaBoatFeet · 29/05/2021 21:30

Yes. I’m having it but only because I want to travel this year to spend time with my dad and I think a vaccine card is very much going to be part of any traveling we do.

XenoBitch · 29/05/2021 21:53

If you do feel you have to go for a vaccination, but want it recorded that you were forced, how about you bring a letter. Address it to the medical director of the vaccine centre and explain the ways in which you feel forced. Ask that s/he receives it before you're injected. You could cc your MP

If OP takes such a letter with her, then the vaccinator will not be injecting them. Consent is required before they can touch you. Showing them a letter to say they are being forced (it is not their decision), the jab should be halted.
OP could do this and tell their family that the vaccine centre refused to jab them. Sounds like an awful situation to be in.

Original poster
Itsnotyourchoiceanymore · 29/05/2021 22:02

I’m going to try and book it today. I really don’t want to. I suffer from anxiety and the whole scenario is driving me nuts. He seems convinced that without vaccination I’m going to wind up dead with the Indian variant...I don’t want Covid either. But I feel I’m between a rock and a hard place

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 29/05/2021 22:09

@Itsnotyourchoiceanymore

I’m going to try and book it today. I really don’t want to. I suffer from anxiety and the whole scenario is driving me nuts. He seems convinced that without vaccination I’m going to wind up dead with the Indian variant...I don’t want Covid either. But I feel I’m between a rock and a hard place
If you don't want to, then don't. It is 100% your decision.
raeya · 29/05/2021 22:12

I agree. Doesn't sit right with me either and I'd also like to be more sure from the studies it REALLY is safe, no future side effects etc. Im a scientist! I'm booked to have it but not happy or wanting it. But feel it is something I have to do. Also breast feeding so feel responsible for my decision if something untoward is passed on

BarbarianMum · 29/05/2021 22:40

Hmmm, honestly OP not wanting the vaccine and being happy to take your chances with COVID is one thing, not wanting the vaccine and not wanting to catch COVID is another.

Coronavirus is going nowhere, so it will be one or, sooner or later, the other.

KaleSlayer · 29/05/2021 22:48

There’s no way I’d be forced into this OP.

You need to tell your husband to leave you alone and that it’s your decision. If my partner bullied me into anything like this, I would leave him. Work colleagues, just tell them medical information is private.

Katya213 · 29/05/2021 23:19

I'm only reluctant about the possible side effects you get for a day or two. I get mine wednesday.

BreakingtheIce · 29/05/2021 23:27

Ive had mine. I didn’t want it, at all. However I have a holiday booked later in the year and I just caved in the end. Which doesn’t make me feel good about myself. So don’t have it if you don’t want it. It’s your decision and your body.

Original poster
Itsnotyourchoiceanymore · 30/05/2021 00:07

@Katya213 could I ask how old you are? I’m 40 and not sure which one I’ll get

@BreakingtheIce yes but all this constant talk about this has now got me petrified of Covid. As I said I suffer from anxiety and this pressure doesn’t help. I tried explaining this then I get tagged as an anti vaxxer or half baked ideas from social media. That poor radio presenter who passed away would have gone in good faith but the odds were against her, I’m not comfortable playing this game. Who knows what information will come out next week...

OP posts:
YoBeaches · 30/05/2021 06:19

The odds Werner against the radio presenter but as we are constantly reminded all vaccines and illness have a risk of side effects.

If you don't have any known pre existing conditions, you're likely to be fine having the vaccine.

But you do have a choice. No-one is forcing you and you have the right to refuse. You have to make the risk assessment yourself.

Katya213 · 30/05/2021 08:43

Isnotyourchoiceanymore..I'm 44 so will receive astrazeneca.

Crackbadger · 30/05/2021 08:48

[quote Itsnotyourchoiceanymore]@Katya213 could I ask how old you are? I’m 40 and not sure which one I’ll get

@BreakingtheIce yes but all this constant talk about this has now got me petrified of Covid. As I said I suffer from anxiety and this pressure doesn’t help. I tried explaining this then I get tagged as an anti vaxxer or half baked ideas from social media. That poor radio presenter who passed away would have gone in good faith but the odds were against her, I’m not comfortable playing this game. Who knows what information will come out next week...[/quote]
I really don't think you should have it. Can you get counselling to talk through your fears with someone? Or even phone the Samaritans? They are impartial and will listen to you.

ImbarbaraB · 30/05/2021 08:58

I’m reluctant because everyone my age who caught COVID has said that although it wasn’t fun, it wasn’t bad enough to warrant a potentially bad reaction from a vaccine

The people my age who have had a vaccine have been off work with headaches and fever and felt worse than the people forced to stay at home because they had actual COVID

If I was 50+ I’m sure I’d feel differently and want to get it

But I’m 30, and now I’ve booked my vaccines I’m wondering why.

Anytime I’m offered a flu vaccine I don’t take it because my risk from flu is low at my age , I see this is similar

Also, having spoken to a Professor of Microvascular Pharmacology who told me last week that its actually harder to catch than they are letting on im doubly wondering why I need it

NeverTalksToStrangers · 30/05/2021 09:14

My dad died from covid in April in 8 days after catching it in hospital. He had already had his first vaccine (was due the second whilst he was there).

I knew if he caught it he wouldn't survive as he was so frail. He wasn't a well man, but it was definitely covid that killed him.

I got my vaccine, not because I'm afraid of getting it myself really, but because I can't imagine how I'd live with the guilt of passing it on to someone more vulnerable.

The other thing is, at your age covid probably won't kill you, but it could leave you with health issues. My SIL caught it in November, she's 44, nurse, no health issues (she's celiac though). She was very unwell and still hasn't fully recovered. Long covid is a thing and isn't just affecting the elderly.

penni00 · 30/05/2021 10:18

I think the counselling idea is a good one because you are being put in a very difficult situation. The counselling might help you to deal with the people in your life who are piling on the pressure with this. Maybe you could get the counselling via a GP, and then you could, if you wanted, say to those questioning/pushing you to get the vaccine, that you are discussing it with your GP. Or you could say you are seeing a counsellor about it. Surely, that should keep them off‘challenging’ you over your vaccination choice? The counselling at the very least will help YOU make YOUR choice about what to do about having the vaccination.
I don’t want to scare you, but I have ongoing medical issues since my first dose, not the rare clots,. I know it very likely you would be fine, but there is no way anyone should force you to take this risk. Imagine how you would feel if you took a vaccine that others pushed you into, if the vaccination did cause you problems with your health . That would be so hard to cope with mentally - you have to be sure that if you go ahead - it is 100 percent YOUR choice.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 30/05/2021 10:41

Getting a vaccine is not just to reduce the chance of getting an illness yourself. It's about stopping the spread of disease through the community, and especially protecting those who can't get the vaccine.

For those who are terrified of the clots which are a very rare side effect of the AZ vaccine, can I ask, are you also terrified of getting the same side effect if you get Covid? The risk of getting Covid is higher than the risk of getting clots after taking the vaccine, after all.

Here's the government advice on risks of vaccination vs risks of Covid 19, for each age group. www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-and-blood-clotting/covid-19-vaccination-and-blood-clotting

Original poster
Itsnotyourchoiceanymore · 30/05/2021 11:44

@penni00 no you didn’t scare me. In fact I’m preparing myself for possible death, long term issues - which is fuelling panic attacks.

I’m not comfortable with the lack of debate around this- the vaccine is either good or very good. Anyone dare to raise a question is vilified and branded selfish.

I don’t go to pubs/restaurants or shops
All my shooing is online
I don’t have family or friends in the uk- so not going into anybody’s house
My outing is work because they want us to come in - two days mashed all day while in the office
School pickup

That’s all- I move away from people who get too close to me on walks etc,

Don’t do takeaway coffees at anything- I’m trying my best to be as careful and protect others as much as I can

I know the vaccine is another step but it feels too soon for me- it’s my gut feel

I see it as I can die with Covid or potentially (lower score than Covid I understand) die from the vaccine. As far as my head goes (yes anxiety driving it) I’m choosing how I die or suffer

OP posts:
penni00 · 30/05/2021 12:37

At the end of the day, don’t do anything you are not ready for.

starsinthegutter · 30/05/2021 13:08

I've had the AZ one (before they stopped offering it to under 40s) and I was also very stressed about side effects and efficacy. I also felt a lot of external pressure to get it... and I want to be part of the solution in getting us out of this shitstink. In the end I just went for it and decided there was never going to be a perfect solution... though in hindsight, I would have opted for one of the other ones as they seem better at protecting against the variants, if it was possible to choose. So I feel for you and can empathise. I thought the person who did my vaccines was brilliant and very open to talking through concerns, I also felt like I could have turned it down at any point if I changed my mind. Good luck!

Stickytreacle · 30/05/2021 14:20

My daughter was asked several times for her consent for the AZ vaccine 2nd dose (she's 32)
Although you may feel pressured to be vaccinated, nobody can force you, you have the choice to be vaccinated or not. I think it's foolish not to, but it's your decision at the end of the day.

penni00 · 30/05/2021 15:03

I think you need to be given space, ie for those in your life just to know that it is not a topic up for conversation. I think you need to explain to these people that the whole decision making over the vaccination is stressing you out, and that you need space to work it all out in your head. If these people are worth anything, they should then leave you alone.
You will never get your head around what you want to do if other people keep pestering you about it!
The first step is for people to realise you need them to drop the subject.
The second step is for you to work out whether you are happy to think it all through by yourself, or whether you want to discuss it maybe with a counsellor (or one particular friend/relative who you trust to be helpful).
Also , keep up with your being careful to avoid Covid measures, but also make sure you have times at home when you can completely relax. Times when you can watch TV, do a hobby etc that gives you a complete break from thinking about Covid. I think gradually then you may work out what to do.

sleepwouldbenice · 30/05/2021 15:35

Really OP I am in favour of vaccines. But don't do it as you are
Try to talk to people, not on social media, about risk. I am older than you for example but have worried more about passing Covid on than my personal risk.of catching it

Please try to understand your risk from the vaccine is very small but equally dont have the vaccine until you personally are happy

Aalvarino · 30/05/2021 17:41

I think counselling is imperative not solely (or even mostly) because of the jab issue. But because what you said about preparing for different ways to die... If that is what you really feel then you have bigger problems than the jab. I'm not saying that to make you scared or disparage you. Anxiety is very treatable and I think you would reap loads of benefits from getting help for this.

Original poster
Itsnotyourchoiceanymore · 30/05/2021 20:53

I am doing cbt- I did mention the wanting to take the vaccine but also the fear surrounding it. The therapist wanted to address the generalised anxiety but didn’t really go into detail about the conversation around the vaccine

OP posts: