Does anyone know someone with omicron who is unvaxxed?

[Honeyhorse]

And how they are?

I’m getting more and more anxious as I have a needle phobia and therefore haven’t had any jabs yet. Really scared

Well you’d end up with a lot more than a small needle, that takes seconds to give, if you ended up in hospital with COVID.

Most of those in ITU are non vaccinated.

Trust me having regular blood gases, blood taken and then a central line is far, far worse.

I understand you’re needle phobic but it’s something that takes seconds.

I don’t think they tell you what strain you have, just whether you’re positive or negative.

I had Delta (I assume) and was completely asymptomatic.

They don’t normally tell you the variety, but lots of people getting it now so assume they must be.

We are heading into peak season now OP, so if there’s anyway you can brave it - please do.

Yes, I do. Absolutely fine. 2 days of flu like symptoms and then back to normal. People are forgetting we didn't have a vaccine for over a year of covid and most people just got flu symptoms.

I don’t know if this helps with your phobia OP, but the needle is short and tiny, not a long one that you may see in films or need for blood tests.
It is more of a tiny spike than a needle. Also it is literally half a second, bash, done. Again, not something where you need to see the needle. I am not needle phonic so the nurse wasn’t being discreet or trying to hide the needle, but the first time I didn’t see it at all. Felt a tiny scratch and it had already been done.

I don't know what its like to have s needle phobia, op but is there any way at all you can bring yourself to do it? If you catch COVID, you'll have many more needles to content with and potentially be very ill too.

What about someone going with you to support you? Some medication to help you relax beforehand?

Yes, they were absolutely fine. Most people are.

If I get my first one next week though, surely I need three for protection? They keep saying two isn’t enough. So surely either way I’m in trouble?

Phobias are difficult to explain, completely irrational I know.

My brother has it currently. He’s unvaccinated but doesn’t know what type he has. He’s very ill.

@Honeyhorse

If I get my first one next week though, surely I need three for protection? They keep saying two isn’t enough. So surely either way I’m in trouble?

Even one vaccine is better than none, @Honeyhorse. That way your body has 'seen' the virus spike protein and will raise an immune response. It's better than not having one at all. I do understand your phobia (I'm the same) and hope you can work up the courage to go.

@Honeyhorse if I were you I'd try get it asap. Next day sort of thing - that way you don't have time to work up to it. I have had a phobia but not of needles. So I do understand the anxiety. BUT at some point in your life you may need a lifesaving needle. So it's best to face it sooner rather than later.

Could you go to a walk in today so you don't have a build up to an appointment?

3 are better than 2, 2 are better than 1 but even 1 is vastly better than 0.
Please get your jab, explain to the vaccinator how you are feeling. They have done so many hundreds now that they will definitely have had to deal with people who have felt the way you do.

If you want to get the vaccine, I can say, with all honesty, that I didn't even feel the needle going in. And it didn't hurt at all. I didn't see it, but it must have been tiny. Just in case that reassures you. It probably doesn't. I'm not that keen on needles myself, not a phobia though, I know, but this one really was a breeze.

If you tell the vaccine centre that you are needle phobic, they will support you through it, OP. Many centres can take you to a private room and administer it with you lying down, with a friend or relative beside you as support if you wish it. There are threads on MN of phobics who have finally managed to get done after defaulting several appointments, and they are always so thrilled and relieved afterwards.

The first 2 vaccine’s effect fades over time. If you have 2 you will have great protection for 3 months. This fades and then booster is given. We don’t yet know how long good levels of protection with the booster will last for. Most vaccinator clinics are good at helping anxious/ needle phobic people get protected.

Anecdotal reports of people being very sick or people mildly affected isn’t the best for anxiety IMO.

Honestly (even though I wasn’t particularly worried) I felt a relief walking out of the first vaccine appointment, hope you do too.

There are loads of walk in centres open, please do go.

I hate needles but I always look away. I didn't even feel my booster! Even if you feel it it's only like touching yourself with a finger nail for a split second. Please go and get the ball rolling and have your first one!

@LookslovelyinSpringtime oh dear, I hope he’s better soon, what were his symptoms? So I know what to look out for, as I know it’ll likely be different in the vaccinated and unvaccinated.

The walk ins around here are on a Wednesday. So I’d have to wait until then.

I don't like needles either. I just look away when they're about to do it.

I've had 2x jabs and a booster now, plus a flu jab. (I've had more vaccines than nights out this year.)

I can honestly say that I didn't feel anything any of the times, maybe the slightest light scratch. The arm sometimes aches a little afterwards but it's a paracetamol job, nothing major.

The HCA who did my booster was ever so fast; I think my bum was only on the seat about 10 seconds and the injection itself took literally one second. I remarked how quick it was and she said, 'If I do it really fast they give me a biscuit.'

I've had covid too I had OG covid really early on and I'd have the jabs over that any day of the week. And I didn't even get particularly ill with it.

[quote Honeyhorse]@LookslovelyinSpringtime oh dear, I hope he’s better soon, what were his symptoms? So I know what to look out for, as I know it’ll likely be different in the vaccinated and unvaccinated.[/quote]
All the usual symptoms. Headache, aches and pains, pain in the chest. Total exhaustion. He hasn’t been able to eat for a week. Really worried. I don’t have a needle phobia but I hate the idea of needles going in a vein. I look the other way if I have to have a blood test. The vaccine is just a prick. If you close your eyes and think about something else it will be over in a second. I didn’t feel mine.

Yes, young unvaxxed couple. They don’t know if it’s omicron tho, but it might well be.
Wife’s only symptom is the loss of smell. Husband is more poorly but nowhere near to be hospitalised. Both 32. No comorbidities tho.

I have a needle phobia and had my booster today. I managed to drive myself there and back and queue in the normal queue for an hour (just about, it wasn't pleasant). I then had the injection lying down.

Have you tried CBT? I had it early last year and it has made it more manageable.

Yes. 1 x unvaccinated (middle aged) 1 x double vaccinated (young) both identical symptoms and severity (mild flu/heavy cold).