🧵 1/#covidvaccine anxiety-SRO view from a #vaccineclinic. In every clinic I’ve been part of (and that’s many) there are always some who are particularly anxious about being #vaccinated. Today we saw several who reported not wanting to carry the anxiety over #christmas.
2/years as a dr have taught me most humans often find uncertainty or new things #anxiety provoking to some degree. #COVID19 and #covidvaccine are all of these things in some measure & patients will go a long way to find a clinic that aren’t reassuring it’s ok to feel #anxious
3/what can help with #CovidVaccine anxiety? Firstly recognise it and accept it. It’s ok if not normal to be worried. #anxiety drives a need to look for reassurance +information- the latter can be conflicting and misinformed and worsen #anxiety. Speak to medical professionals.
4/remember that risk is a 2 sided coin; there are always risks of inaction as well as action. Not being #vaccinated comes with risks. Sometimes big risks; short and long term ones. If you are unsure you need a discussion on the full balanced picture- be careful who you look to.
5/don’t be afraid to turn up to a #vaccine site and proclaim your #anxiety. Most clinicians will detect it but taking control of it and addressing it upfront can help both of you. No #vaccine clinician will force you to be #vaccinated. We have people turn up chat and leave often.
6/bring someone with you as support- mums, sisters, best mates we’ve met them all. We want you to feel secure and supported. Despite having done tens thousands/hundred thousands at each site every #jab is important to us. You are not just a number to us.
7/tell us what if anything is making you particularly anxious- that you may have a reaction? The needle will hurt? You will get side effects? You might faint? Fertility concerns? I guarantee it won’t be alarming to us but we will recognise it is to you and support you. #COVID19
8/if after all this you leave #unvaccinated be proud that you came this far. I’ve met patients who went ‘through with it’ on their 6th attempt. What awesome determination and persistence. This journey is a long one but we will get through it stronger together. #CovidVaccine
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