What do you think: "vaccine caution" or an embarassing fear of needles?

[NotUrsula]

I hate hypodermic needles. A Lot. I'm a news junkie, but lately I have to set my browser to NOT open images while reading the news online, lest I get an unwelcome eyeful of an injection photograph, or worse, VIDEO.

I can handle blood draws if the person is skilled, but with me you only get one chance: I'm a Karen about it and call ahead to make an appointment with the most experienced phlebotomist on staff. Intramuscular injections are much worse, and I have mostly chosen to go without when possible, even occasionally forgoing my very favorite thing in the world (travel) in order to avoid them. (My kids are fully vaccinated, but I was never with them at the time; those appointments were Dad's job.)

I very much wish I could dodge the COVID vaccine, but I know my employer will insist, so I'm stuck (if you'll pardon the pun.) That got me thinking about how many people might be clinging to "vaccine caution" not so much because they are worried about the vaccine having side effects, but because they REALLY don't want to deal with injection itself, let alone two of them. Naturally, very few adults are going to openly admit that that is their real reason.

So, what do you think? What percentage of this widespread "vaccine caution" that we are seeing is really caused by fear of needles? I'm guessing that with the possible exception of the healthcare professions, it is probably at least half.

 

[gwynne]

I hate hypodermic needles. A Lot. I'm a news junkie, but lately I have to set my browser to NOT open images while reading the news online, lest I get an unwelcome eyeful of an injection photograph, or worse, VIDEO.

I can handle blood draws if the person is skilled, but with me you only get one chance: I'm a Karen about it and call ahead to make an appointment with the most experienced phlebotomist on staff. Intramuscular injections are much worse, and I have mostly chosen to go without when possible, even occasionally forgoing my very favorite thing in the world (travel) in order to avoid them. (My kids are fully vaccinated, but I was never with them at the time; those appointments were Dad's job.)

I very much wish I could dodge the COVID vaccine, but I know my employer will insist, so I'm stuck (if you'll pardon the pun.) That got me thinking about how many people might be clinging to "vaccine caution" not so much because they are worried about the vaccine having side effects, but because they REALLY don't want to deal with injection itself, let alone two of them. Naturally, very few adults are going to openly admit that that is their real reason.

So, what do you think? What percentage of this widespread "vaccine caution" that we are seeing is really caused by fear of needles? I'm guessing that with the possible exception of the healthcare professions, it is probably at least half.

Needle nervousness may be a trigger for vaccine fear and avoidance for some.
That said, many others of us are ready to get back to a more normal life. That includes being able to no longer have concerns about contracting a severe case of covid. So we will vaccinate at the first opportunity.
I'll bet a decent percentage of the nervous will eventually get the very quick shot. Might be a selling point for J&J, one and done.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

how many people might be clinging to "vaccine caution" not so much because they are worried about the vaccine having side effects, but because they REALLY don't want to deal with injection itself, let alone two of them.

I hate vaccine shots. I hate them. Don't like them AT ALL. But, I wish my number would come up in the next hour to get mine for this vicious disease. I hope I won't get really bad side effects, but I get some from almost every vaccine I get.

When the shingles shot was new, and there was only one injection required, I got it. I've seen shingles in action and even 50% effectiveness was good enough for me. Of course they then came out with Shingrix, 2 dose vaccine. Guess what? I got 2 more shots.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Just want to chime in that I also have needle issues. More than that there are topicals both in spray and cream form out there exactly for the purpose of preventing routine shots/blood draws from being painful! I wish more doctors (and dentists with topical numbing gels) would make this more known so people of all ages would not feel deterred (for only this reason) to get a needed vaccine.

 

[Micca]

I hate hypodermic needles. A Lot. I'm a news junkie, but lately I have to set my browser to NOT open images while reading the news online, lest I get an unwelcome eyeful of an injection photograph, or worse, VIDEO.

This is me! I hate to admit how long it's been since I've had an injection (other than at the dentist.) I will get the covid vaccine(s) though but DAMN enough with the images already.

I don't know how many people won't get the vaccine strictly out of fear of needles. Just about everybody gets more shots than me, I'd think most people want to get this pandemic over with.

 

[fla4fun]

I hate needles, and plan to get the vaccine. They will probably hear my scream in Alaska . . .

 

[tazdev3225]

Needle nervousness may be a trigger for vaccine fear and avoidance for some.
That said, many others of us are ready to get back to a more normal life. That includes being able to no longer have concerns about contracting a severe case of covid. So we will vaccinate at the first opportunity.
I'll bet a decent percentage of the nervous will eventually get the very quick shot. Might be a selling point for J&J, one and done.

This is me. I have a severe phobia of needles. I tense up so bad that I actually had a needle bend in my arm during a tetanus shot for a dog bite when I was about 8. My daughter could care less if she gets it and she is a nurse that worked the front lines in the ICU. She is waiting for it to be mandated and she is pretty confidant that at some time it will be mandated for everyone.

I am waiting for the J&J shot because it is one and done, and my brother actually helped work on some of the research for it. I am forcing my husband who does not believe in shots for anything to get it. He is actually in the high risk group and still refuses to consider it. He will have no choice. If I get it he is getting it.

 

[lifesavacation]

I have anxiety about having a reaction afterwards. I am more afraid of COVID though so I got the vaccine and had a panic attack while I was waiting my 15 minutes. Ugh! I have my 2nd shot in 2 weeks. I’d really like to avoid a panic attack. In the moment, I’ll do my best but I’ll probably still have one. It’s very frustrating I can’t control this.
You can stick me with a hundred needles and I’ll be fine. I’m just convinced I’ll be the 1/1,000,000 who will have a reaction.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My son who has autism really hates getting shots. His childhood shots were really hard, but it's gotten easier now that he's an adult (25-years old). I can reason with him now and he understands that getting a quick shot is better than getting the disease it prevents. He willingly gets a flu shot every year, and really wants his Covid vaccines as soon as he can get them.

We've developed a routine to help him get through shots. He rolls up his sleeve and holds my hand. He's allowed to squeeze it as tight as he wants, but he never actually hurts me. He focuses on my face and tells me what he's decided on getting after the shot (we call it a reward, not a bribe). He can choose fast food, ice cream, a Slurpee, whatever he wants. Talking about it distracts him from what's going on. When the shot is done, we go directly to get his reward. He got a huge reward last year when he had a benign growth removed from his knee. The doctor and assistant even joined in the conversation to help distract him, which I appreciated.

 

[RamblingMad]

I knew someone that was super fearful of needles. This is a legit phobia. Everyone is not going to get the vaccination. Hopefully enough gets it to slow this thing down.

 

[tzolkin]

I hate to admit how long it's been since I've had an injection (other than at the dentist.)

My husband and middle daughter refuse the injection at the dentist if they are getting a filling. They think the shot is worse than the procedure.

My daughter could care less if she gets it and she is a nurse that worked the front lines in the ICU. She is waiting for it to be mandated and she is pretty confidant that at some time it will be mandated for everyone.

“Mandated for everyone” as in all healthcare workers? or does she mean literally everyone? I have a hard time imagining that it will be mandatory for all. I don’t think we have any vaccines that are “mandatory” for the general public in the US so I would be surprised how that would be enforced.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

I absolutely hate shots, blood draws, and particularly IVs because my veins are terrible. I always have vasovagal syncope when I get an IV or blood draw when not hydrated enough and they took away the recliner at the blood draw place so I warn people when I get there they better be prepared to hold me up if I start to go.
I also have fainted during tattoos.

I'm more than happy to get the covid vaccine.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I knew someone that was super fearful of needles. This is a legit phobia. Everyone is not going to get the vaccination. Hopefully enough gets it to slow this thing down.

My youngest don was like this. He would tell me he didn’t know why because they didn’t hurt. Thankfully he grew out of it. Although maybe he just doesn’t get them anymore. Not sure!

 

[tazdev3225]

My husband and middle daughter refuse the injection at the dentist if they are getting a filling. They think the shot is worse than the procedure.


“Mandated for everyone” as in all healthcare workers? or does she mean literally everyone? I have a hard time imagining that it will be mandatory for all. I don’t think we have any vaccines that are “mandatory” for the general public in the US so I would be surprised how that would be enforced.

She thinks it will be mandated for the general public and it wouldn't be unprecedented. Polio was mandated when I was small.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

My husband and middle daughter refuse the injection at the dentist if they are getting a filling. They think the shot is worse than the procedure.

And this is why I have taken amazing care of my teeth since I was 14 and had to have 2 fillings.
Haven't had even a hint of a cavity since!

 

[gwynne]

She thinks it will be mandated for the general public and it wouldn't be unprecedented. Polio was mandated when I was small.

I tend to think it won't be "mandatory" but it may be required for lots of activities. Things like flying, cruising, going to concerts, maybe even some dentists and doctors.
I guess we'll see in the coming months.

 

[cobright]

I was able to talk to a few people who've had the Covid vacc and I've looked at it being administered a few times now and ... well I know it won't help you much directly but of all the shots you can think of, this one is probably at the bottom of the scary-chart.

The vaccine itself is very 'thin' so to speak, and there's not a lot of it. With that and the type of injection, it means the needle is short and thin. It doesn't have to hit a vein so it's already more pleasant than your average blood draw.

By best advice, that I use on my daughter who is terrified of needles, is to get some good earbuds and crank up some aggressive music.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

I tend to think it won't be "mandatory" but it may be required for lots of activities. Things like flying, cruising, going to concerts, maybe even dentists and doctors.
I guess we'll see in the coming months.

That's what I think as well.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

it means the needle is short and thin

According to the CDC for an intramuscular injection, for adults, the needle should be 1- 1/2 inches long. that's pretty long, in my books.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/downloads/vaccine-administration-needle-length.pdf

 

[bcla]

I don't think too many people are really so afraid of needles that they won't do it. The reality is that a lot of people who look away don't even realize that it's over as long as it's done well.