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Original poster

Got 1st vac booked this afternoon and terrified!

98 replies

BlueEyesWhiteDragon · 17/12/2021 10:50

Can someone talk me down with links to all the reassuring data!

I've got horrendous anxiety and depression and as a result for various reasons have kept putting off getting vaccinated including a terrible reaction to a flu jab about 15 years ago.

I finally managed to book and have an appointment (along with the DSs) this afternoon.

Someone has just said they've done away with the 15 min monitoring and proceeded to tell me all the horror stories about people being really ill from the jab.

I really want to go and get it but am almost in full on panic attack mode. Could do with some reassuring data and positive vaccination stories.

OP posts:
tunnocksreturns2019 · 17/12/2021 10:51

Massive well done for booking it in. You can do this Flowers

Cheesybiscuitsmineallmine · 17/12/2021 10:52

Well done and good luck. You can totally do this!

FFSFFSFFS · 17/12/2021 10:53

I cried with relief after getting mine!

Take a couple of paracetamol an hour before. I was unwell for a night for the first one. Fine with next two.

It will be totally fine and takes about two seconds!

FoxgloveSummers · 17/12/2021 10:53

Had third Jab this week, been completely fine all three times. You will be fine too. Well done

duvetdayforeveryone · 17/12/2021 10:53

Well done!

I always get my vaccine done in a separate side room as I hate being around other people/noise. The nurses are very understanding.

Clarkey86 · 17/12/2021 10:54

Also there’s nothing to stop you hanging around just outside the door for 15 minutes if it helps you feel better

NMC2022 · 17/12/2021 10:54

I had my booster. My bum touched the chair for less than 5 seconds before they said "done!"
I had my flu jab at the same time and that was the sore arm Grin
Nothing else. I thought I was a bit tired but TBH I just fancied a nap

Cookerhood · 17/12/2021 10:54

The 15 minute monitoring is in case anyone has an immediate allergic reaction, which is incredibly rare. I've been vaccinating since early this year & I've never seen anayone have one. I've seen a couple of people faint. Where I work we are still telling people to wait if it is their first Pfizer vaccine (so if they've had others or this is their first), but that will vary depending on the decision of the clinical lead at the site. If you want to wait I'm sure they will allow you to, they are just trying to avoid large crowds of people waiting.
Well done for booking a vaccine.

Coolcoolcool · 17/12/2021 10:54

I am at a vax centre right now waiting for my booster, and there are still some people using the observation stations. The staff are so lovely - tell them you’re feeling anxious and they will help you. All they want to do is to help you get vaccinated so they really will look after you. Well done for booking and good luck!
(Oh and I didn’t get any post-vax symptoms with my first two vaccines other than a slightly sore arm for a couple of hours. My DH and friends all the same x)

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 17/12/2021 10:55

Your Someone is a dickhead.

I've never been expected to hang around - there hasn't been the space in the GP surgery or pharmacies for it and I needed to get back to work when I had the third primary at the hospital vaccination Centre.

Your arm might be a bit sore in the evening, you might feel a bit rough for a couple of days, but the vastly overwhelming likelihood is that you will, like millions of others who have had their vaccinations, be absolutely fine.

Amberflames · 17/12/2021 10:55

Well done OP! You know you are doing the right thing, you got this.

I’ve had three now and no significant side effects. A bit of tiredness and a sore arm and that was it.

bringmelaughter · 17/12/2021 10:55

Let them know how anxious you are and why and they’ll support you with this.

I’ve had 3 Covid vaccinations, no problems at all and also haven’t seen any issues at all in anyone I know. On the other side of the coin I’ve seen a number of people with Covid issues including long Covid.

Well done and focus on the effects of Covid being more of an issue than the small potential of issues with vaccination.

viques · 17/12/2021 10:55

Congratulations, you have been very brave, and wise, to book your first jab. I think it will be fine. If you are worried about feeling unwell in the vaccination centre and feel you need to wait afterwards before going home then tell them, they will find you a chair and a place to wait until you feel up to it.

ICalledYouLastNightFromGlasgow · 17/12/2021 10:56

Well done, you've made a great decision. Had 3 jabs and absolutely fine 3 times. Please remember that even if you do feel bad afterwards it will pass. You'll be fine. Good luck, you can do it!

Amberflames · 17/12/2021 10:57

Nothing else. I thought I was a bit tired but TBH I just fancied a nap

Grin. I can never tell whether it’s jab tiredness or related to having small children who are terrible sleepers!

itwasntaparty · 17/12/2021 10:59

Well done. I've had there and there was never a 15 minute wait option, and that was Guys in London

averylongtimeago · 17/12/2021 10:59

Try not to worry, you will be fine.
Had my booster yesterday (plus flu jab) and the nurse was lovely. I hate needles so I always mention it, then just don't look. The nurse was chatting away and honestly the injections were fine.
I feel a bit tired today, sort of hungover, that's all.

SickAndTiredAgain · 17/12/2021 10:59

There were a couple of people waiting around outside post-jab when I went this morning, I assume they have a medical reason, or maybe it was their first jab. If you’re worried there is nothing stopping you waiting if it will help you feel better.

But removing the wait is a good thing, because it must mean they didn’t have people having reactions. I think some other countries never had this wait at all (America had drive through vaccine centres where I assume you didn’t all park up for 15 mins once they’ve jabbed your through your window, for example)

Rainbowqueeen · 17/12/2021 11:00

Awesome stuff. You will feel amazing after - it’s such a relief to know you are on the way to being protected.

PlinkPlankPlunk · 17/12/2021 11:01

Well done for getting it booked - that is great news! You’ll find the people in the vaccination clinic are really friendly and it’s lovely to see all the volunteers at work, and all the vaccination numbers going up as well. I agree if you mention your anxiety they will be able to help you put - but you might feel you just want to leave once it’s done (I have a hospital phobia and just wanted to get out so was out like a shot when I could!)

I think you’ll feel very proud of yourself for getting it done, and that feeling is absolutely priceless. Drinking water and taking regular paracetamol will help knock any side effects on the head, and plenty of people don’t suffer at all including me (they just don’t talk about it so much!)

Do come back and tell us how it went, if you can Flowers

MrsTophamHat · 17/12/2021 11:02

There's a good chance you won't feel awful: I didn't. I had a tender arm with my first, and nothing with my second. You're doing the right thing, OP.

saleorbouy · 17/12/2021 11:02

Well done getting booked. I had no reaction at all. I was vaccinated in an EU city where over 100 vaccination booths were in use. While there getting my jabs no one had adverse reactions.
Be assured you'll feel less anxious once vaccinated and you'll also get less serious symptoms if you catch Covid.
Hope all goes well for you.

onlyreadingneverposting8 · 17/12/2021 11:03

Well done!!! You won't regret it. And Thank you as the mother of a very severely immunocompromised 19yr old DS who is also a frontline worker.
My best advice is take regular ibuprofen for 24hrs after - as you've had to work up to this point don't suffer with any side affects unnecessarily just take ibuprofen and you'll most likely feel fine.

rwalker · 17/12/2021 11:04

the only people I know who felt bad after were convicted they were going to before they even had the jab

kimlo · 17/12/2021 11:05

when I had my first there was no waiting time for az. I was out the door 20 seconds after it was in my arm.

If you want to wait then wait.