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Original poster

Which Covid Vaccine? (Anxiety!)

52 replies

Dinotruxagain · 25/07/2021 08:15

I've been reluctant to have the Vaccine, mainly because I'm super anxious and have a real phobia of needles and hospitals.
However, now they have started to do walk in vaccine clinics in my area, I have womaned up and decided to go and get it done, that and I'm done hiding away from everyone due to fear of getting Covid!
I'd rather have the one with the least side effects.
All jabs seem to be available as walk ins now, so which one is the best one/least likely to make me feel rubbish?
I'm 37 and in good health although I'm fatter than I would like!

Also does anyone have any tips on dealing with anxiety/panic attacks getting this done, are they understanding that I will not want to sit in a waiting room for 40 minutes? 😒
Do you think they'd let me have the jab sat at the door?
Lack of fresh air really sets off my panic attacks!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 25/07/2021 08:20

Don't think AZ is recommended under 40 so choose one of the others

Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 08:23

Op I’m also anxious and I had my vaccine recently. Sending you a big well done for deciding to do this and an un mn hug in case you want one Flowers

I would suggest that you speak to the marshalls on entry about your vaccine phobia and explain your triggers. Hopefully they will do what they can to help you.

I would take something to listen to and do - headphones and an engaging audio book maybe? Take some boiled sweets to suck?

I don’t think anyone can say which jab will have least side effects for you personally. All of them have a few but the good news is that for the vast majority of people they will be very minor.

What day do you plan to go?

Pinkpowderpuff · 25/07/2021 08:32

I'm 35 and have mine booked today. I'm absolutely wetting myself. I'm so worried about side effects.

Geamhradh · 25/07/2021 08:34

The HCP will do a run through with you and tell you which one is best for you.
Tell them you are very anxious and may possibly have a panic attack and they'll be helpful. Good luck! Flowers

Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 08:34

Good luck @Pinkpowderpuff

I was also very scared but the relief I felt afterwards was huge. I felt much less worried about having to do unavoidable indoor stuff eg hospital appointments etc

crumpet · 25/07/2021 08:39

All have the potential for some side effects, but the majority of people don’t experience any. I felt rubbish after my first jab, but nothing that I had not already read about, so wasn’t worried, and as expected the symptoms had disappeared after 24 hours. Second jab, felt nothing. Any side effects are likely to be much less worse than having the virus, so hold onto that.

I did see (although probably it was the DM) that the hospitalisation demographic is showing an increasing number of unvaccinated under 40s.

Deep breath, and it will be over in seconds. Good luck

crumpet · 25/07/2021 08:40

As for waiting, for both of mine I was in and out in less than 10 minutes, as were other I knew - they really have been very efficient

Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 08:45

I had two different experiences on waiting - on one vax it was 15 minutes, on the other more like 10 seconds! I would prepare some ways to manage it just in case but I’ve not heard of any friends waiting more than 30 minutes as they seem to have lots of nurses at each centre.

MissDollyMix · 25/07/2021 08:46

Straw poll from what I’ve seen on mumsnet the general consensus seems to be that the pfizer jab has the least side effects. That said, I had Moderna and was fine with that too. Our local vax centre was very airy. All the queuing and waiting was done outside in the open and once inside all the doors and windows were open so it wasn’t at all claustrophobic.

Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 08:48

Our centre had double doors open at front and back so it was quite airy

VanGoSunflowers · 25/07/2021 08:48

I’d get the Pfizer, OP. I’ve had one dose and did feel a bit rubbish on and off for a few days but nothing that paracetamol couldn’t help with.

As for the needle, I didn’t even feel it. I doubt they’d mind you sitting near an open window or door - you can always ask! These places are supposed to be well ventilated in order to reduce Covid spread anyway.

Do you drink camomile tea? It’s great for taking the edge off. Drink some before you go and take a travel flask of some for when you’re there (cool it down and have as a cold drink if it’s hot)

Can recommend rescue remedy as well and take some sugar tablets (the ones I use are called Dextro energy) the sugar stops me feeling like I’m going to pass out.

Original poster
Dinotruxagain · 25/07/2021 08:51

Thank you for the replies, the walk in for today has Modera or Astra. Was thinking of Modera as less issues for under 40s.
Heat and feeling trapped seems to be my trigger so I'm working up to it. My OH had his 2nd jab yesterday, I thought the walk in versus appointment would be better then I'll have less time to work myself up to a frenzy!
I wonder if they will let me loiter outside lol

The joys of anxiety!

OP posts:
garlictwist · 25/07/2021 08:53

I was also terrified of side effects. However I was 39 soon to be 40 and knew that after my birthday I would only be offered AZ so I hurriedly had Pfizer whilst I still could I had no side effects whatsoever.

Original poster
Dinotruxagain · 25/07/2021 08:55

I assume they must have had loads of folk with anxiety about jabs.. they must be used to us odd ones by now.
This is basically me giving myself the humph to go get it, would it be weird if I went and cased the place out, I'm usually more comfortable once I know a place. 🤔

Also thank you for the tips ie managing the panic attacks about this, its reassuring that you have all managed it!

OP posts:
Foxhasbigsocks · 25/07/2021 08:59

You know what I don’t think it would be weird at all to go this mor hi ing and take a look outside. I did this and it helped me. You could also chat to a Marshall about the anxiety and needle phobia if someone looks approachable and they may be able to set your mind at rest.

Great idea to do it today - will be thinking of you and come back and update us once you’ve done it!

Anothermuddywalk · 25/07/2021 09:00

If you tell them they are nervous they will help you - someone in front of me in the queue when I had my second mentioned to a Marshall that she was terrified and they took her off somewhere different so she didn't have to wait in the queue, could talk it through with someone etc. (I had Moderna BTW and barely any side effects other than feeling mildly off colour for a day)

slashlover · 25/07/2021 09:03

Side effects are different for different people. My sister and I had the AZ on the exact same day, I had a bit of a sore arm and was tired, she had the headache and chills and had to take the day off of work. Had our second on Thursday and I didn't even have a sore arm whereas she had another headache.

Nerdygirl · 25/07/2021 09:05

I had mine done on Thursday , hugely anxious and really didn’t want it done but feel basically no choice. Spoke to the Marshall, explained how difficult I found it . They then took me straight in, sat in a corner and got on with it . I explained my fears based on someone I knew and they didn’t dismiss it but were incredibly supportive

I am over 40 and got phizer

RuthW · 25/07/2021 09:11

You won't be able to have AZ so it's either Pfizer or moderna. In my experience the side effects are the same with both of those. IF you get any side effects (not everyone does) it tends to be worse with the second dose with those two.

RuthW · 25/07/2021 09:13

Also the side effects are not bad. You will probably feel a bit iffy for a while but not enough to stop you doing anything

Pregnantpeppa · 25/07/2021 09:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mindymomo · 25/07/2021 09:32

My son was quite anxious when we went for his first, he’s going to take some water next time as he’s sure it will help him, he always gets hot when anxious.

Good luck, I’ve had both mine AZ, no side effects, apart from sleeping really well after.

dementedpixie · 25/07/2021 09:34

I wasn't told to wait for either of mine and they certainly weren't monitoring who stayed and who didn't

dementedpixie · 25/07/2021 09:35

P.s. I had AZ twice and my only side effects in both was a sore arm for a few days

wishiwasbytheseaside · 25/07/2021 09:51

When I went for both mine I was in and out in minutes. There was a woman in front of me for the first and the marshalls and nurses were excellent, they took her off separately and were talking to her explaining it all and reassuring. I assume all went well as she came out having had the vaccine.
The nurses and helpers will be aware of fears and are so great.