Will I get an exemption from the doctor?

[Snowmanslippers]

I’m 32 and I’ve not had any jabs yet. The main reason being my extreme anxiety about anything going into my body. I don’t take the contraceptive pill because of my fear of medication, it takes me hours, if not days to take antibiotics when I’ve been prescribed them. I even avoid medications such as ibuprofen or codeine.

I’m not an anti vaxxer, but I’m genuinely terrified, I’ve got a real phobia of things entering my body.
I also have a fear of needles which doesn’t help.

I’m aware that vaccine passports are going to become a thing soon and that you’ll need them to enter most venues. I have a 4 year old son and I don’t want him to miss out on things because I’m unvaccinated. But I physically can’t do it.
I don’t think it’s a conspiracy theory or 5G or anything like that…

I’m just wondering if they’ll allow me an exemption on mental health grounds. But I’m not hopeful. Feeling really low and scared today.

I have had covid, I was obviously unvaccinated and it was just like a mild chest infection for me, with some nausea.
But I know that won’t be enough when it comes to the vaccine passports.

Please don’t judge me, I’m not an anti vaxxer, my son has had all his jabs.

@Redcart21

No your GP won’t give you an exemption for this. But they will help you with your anxieties so it’s definitely worth seeing them for that. You don’t have to live like this.

I work in a clinic and the number of people coming in saying they are needle phobic or have anxiety so can’t get the vaccine, but they have tattoos, have had kids (so had blood tests and possible cannulas) and have piercings

You clearly do not understand phobias. It is like you saying you can't understand people with arachnophobia not being scared of crabs, because they also have lots of legs. Needle phobia is often to do with the needles being hypodermic, which tattoo needles are not. I was training as an HCP, and often came across tattooed people that were absolutely in bits when faced with a needle. I did not judge them. They needed time and understanding.. not shame.

In all honesty no I don't think a fear of needles will get you an exemption, but if you speak to your practice nurse they may be able to offer therapy to help you with this and future health treatment anxiety

I think it would be right to seek help, as you may well need invasive medical treatment one day, and you are a parent with responsibilities. I think from your description, this condition must have so many wide ranging knock on consequences for your everyday life that I'm sure having the covid vaccine or not is really the very least of your worries. It's time for your child's sake to make a list of what you can and can't tolerate and go to the doctor with it to make an urgent plan for your medical care.

So many judgemental and patronising comments on this thread 😡

To be honest I think getting the vaccine is the least of your worries. Speak to your GP and see if they can refer you to anyone or help you here. Hope you manage to get something sorted 💐

I think there's a lot of points the OP could take from the thread. Any kind of help they get is going to start with thinking about what they can and can't tolerate, what strategies they've used to face previously difficult situations, and what specific and particular triggers there are.

Or should no advice be offered, beyond a bit of vague sympathy?

@Barbie222

I think there's a lot of points the OP could take from the thread. Any kind of help they get is going to start with thinking about what they can and can't tolerate, what strategies they've used to face previously difficult situations, and what specific and particular triggers there are.

Or should no advice be offered, beyond a bit of vague sympathy?

Of course. But none are a quick fix, and in the mean time an exemption might help. Even with therapy (and please say where to get this from... there are huge waiting lists for mental health at the moment), it could be months before OP feels able to get the vaccine, and then she wont be classed as fully vaccinated for months after that.

No they won't give an exemption on these grounds.

I really feel for you as I have a very strong phobia of needles (especially for blood tests) and some other invasive procedures.

A lot of people said the jab doesn't hurt, which really helped me to go and get it. I've had all three jabs now and managed without fainting or embarrassing myself in any other way. I have allergies (to unknown substances) but didn't have any reactions.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much help for these sorts of phobias. I tried to get help/hypnotherapy a few years ago, but it was a disaster.

@Barbie222

I think there's a lot of points the OP could take from the thread. Any kind of help they get is going to start with thinking about what they can and can't tolerate, what strategies they've used to face previously difficult situations, and what specific and particular triggers there are.

Or should no advice be offered, beyond a bit of vague sympathy?

Sure offer advice- in reference to the question OP posed- but telling OP that getting the Covid vaccine is the least of her worries (when it was for this reason that she posted), and pointing out that as a parent she has responsibilities (I’m sure OP is aware of this), is a) not helpful and b) insufferably patronising.