People are not getting the vaccine because of fear of needles?

2,836 Views | 32 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by SoulSlaveAG2005
wbt5845
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4:44a, 9/8/21
AG
I guess I do not understand phobias. Look the other direction and it's over before you know it happened. Hard to believe there are this many people in this boat.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-03/needle-phobics-want-shots-if-they-can-avoid-fainting-fleeing

Quote:
They trust the vaccine. They want the vaccine. But millions of U.S. residents who pass out or beat feet at the sight of a hypodermic needle are risking Covid rather than getting a shot in the arm.

Even while most coronavirus deaths are among the unvaccinated -- and other Americans prepare for booster shots -- the phobics are digging in. They're often first to say that their deepest dread makes no sense: Shots are brief and usually minimally painful, after all. But traumatic memories trump Covid maybes.

"Irrational is the perfect word for it," said Jocie Konoske, 29, a homemaker from Portland, Oregon, with a childhood dental drama that has led her to resist blood tests, booster shots, flu vaccines -- and now, the Covid vaccine. "If I could do it, believe me, I would have done it as soon as it came out."

More than eight months after Covid shots won emergency approval, roughly 100 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated. Holdouts often cite medical conditions, side effects, allergic reactions, fertility, skepticism of the virus's danger or conspiracy theories.

It's impossible to say how many among them are ducking because of flat-out needle fright. But as many as 66 million Americans may suffer from needle fear so severe that they threaten to delay herd immunity, according to research posted in April by the National Institutes of Health.

"I literally fight -- I'm a 5-foot, 4-inch woman, and you can't believe how strong I get," said Eylem Alper, 46, a project manager from Boston who hasn't had a needle of any kind since childhood, when her struggling led to restraint by a half-dozen adults. "Of course I don't want to get sick, but phobias do not have any kind of logic."

Alper said she would take a Covid-19 nasal-spray vaccine, which immunologists suspect could offer better protection than shots, because they're introduced via mucous membranes like the virus. But those remain under development.
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St Hedwig Aggie
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4:48a, 9/8/21
AG
So I guess these people never ever go for a physical exam? Seems suspect or at the very least super dumb! SMH
Make Mental Asylums Great Again!
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torrid
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6:07a, 9/8/21
AG
Taken allergy shots for years. I've probably seen more needles than many junkies.
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94chem
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6:16a, 9/8/21
My freshman roommate faked his shot record because he was scared of needles. I've long suspected this this be a significant reason for people avoiding the vaccine. They will let all manner of ridiculous stuff they don't believe come out of their mouths rather than admit they are afraid of a shot. It's the real reason why many people are terrified of employer mandates. I suspect there are a lot of forged shot records for all sorts of immunizations. Even in 2021, medical records are in the same disarray that fingerprints were in 1975.
94chem,
That, sir, was the greatest post in the history of TexAgs. I salute you. -- Dough
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Sea Speed
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7:47a, 9/8/21
AG
Plot twist, they are all heavily tattood
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RockOn
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8:19a, 9/8/21
One day it will be life or death for these people. And for some that day might be soon.

I had cancer in my early 20's. I was stuck and IV'd so many freakn times that a needle doesn't even make me flinch now,
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Harry Stone
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8:56a, 9/8/21
AG
it's real. when i was a kid, i fainted twice after getting two different vaccines, including the measles when it came out. one time i fell into the wall as i walked out of the exam room. it took me many years to overcome this but i finally did, probably because i had multiple surgeries.

ask people why their claustrophobic if all they have to do is close their eyes when theyre in tight spaces.
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Capitol Ag
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9:08a, 9/8/21
AG
Never understood needle fear. I'll watch the poke which freaks out the nurse sometimes....But I get infusions and the needle stays there.

Sad if this is really true. While the odds are still very very good you never will be in the ICU, I'd still be more scared of that. Figure you get poked a lot more there!
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Sea Speed
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In reply to Capitol Ag • 9:10a, 9/8/21
AG
People have irrational fears all the time, I dont think there is that much to understand. You have personal experience with them so of course they dont bother you.
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ORAggieFan
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9:26a, 9/8/21
I get it, I hate them. I have to look the other way. The worst is blood being drawn with multiple vials. But, just look the other way. Figure a way to medicate if needed.

I had to have blood drawn when I was young, probably about 6. It took 5 adults to hold me down.
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Aggie95
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9:27a, 9/8/21
AG
I've taken my son 7 different places to get vaxxed. The "fight or flight" response had been unreal. The sweating, shaking, etc.
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ORAggieFan
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In reply to Sea Speed • 9:27a, 9/8/21
Sea Speed said:
Plot twist, they are all heavily tattood
There's actually a big difference. I can watch myself get a tattoo with no issue.
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Sea Speed
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In reply to ORAggieFan • 9:30a, 9/8/21
AG
It was a joke brother. Of course they are different, one hurts like a son of a ***** and the other doesn't. Sounds like you know which is which
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ORAggieFan
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In reply to Sea Speed • 9:35a, 9/8/21
Sea Speed said:
It was a joke brother. Of course they are different, one hurts like a son of a ***** and the other doesn't. Sounds like you know which is which
Oh, I know it was. And yeah, that's a funny thing. But, phobias aren't rational. I always say, at least I'll never be a heroin addict.
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eiggA2002
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10:43a, 9/8/21
AG
This is my father-in-law to a T. Deathly afraid of needles and won't go to the doctor and at 74, won't get the vaccine. Couple that with his buddy's wife dying from a stroke after getting the vaccine and he's terrified.
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swc93
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11:23a, 9/8/21
AG
My daughter faints every time she gets a shot and usually has to lay down for 10-15 minutes after giving blood.

The Covid shot is such a minuscule shot that no one in our family, including her, even felt the needle. Of course I still had to put a damp cloth on her neck and wait for her color to return before we could leave; but she did it.

If a sissy little art school student can do it; you can to.

Suck it up buttercups.
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wbt5845
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1:05p, 9/8/21
AG
So I guess donating plasma like I do, where you have to lay there for a couple of hours with that large diameter needle in you, would freak these people all the way ****ing out?
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SoulSlaveAG2005
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4:57p, 9/12/21
AG
As I meet many people that have fear of needles daily, it is always amazing to me that the majority of them are men.

We will set up a drive at a school and 80% of the donors are females and anytime you ask a guy they grab their arms and shiver. These dudes would be knocking skulls around in athletics but quiver when we show up.
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chris1515
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6:01p, 9/12/21
AG
I hate needles. Having blood drawn freaks me out. I get nervous getting a flu shot. The Covid vaccine felt like it used the smallest needle I'd ever experienced, truly barely felt it.
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oragator
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10:03p, 9/12/21

I get the fear of needles, I mean does anyone like it? f they really want it though they can get some sort of anti anxiety med and take it, I had a relative do that.
As for me, I didn't feel the first one at all, the second one stung for like one second. And they told me they were using different needles that day for whatever reason when I mentioned it. But it was still nothing.
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88planoAg
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In reply to wbt5845 • 7:18a, 9/13/21
AG
wbt5845 said:
So I guess donating plasma like I do, where you have to lay there for a couple of hours with that large diameter needle in you, would freak these people all the way ****ing out?
The first step in that process is giving blood.

I couldn't get past the screening because of my blood pressure. I don't have high blood pressure but I do have a fear of needles.
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88planoAg
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7:23a, 9/13/21
AG
The very definition of a phobia is that it is irrational. 'it won't hurt' 'it is a small needle' doesn't matter.

It isn't the actual poke that is the issue. It is the whole process leading up to it. Knowing the needle is small doesn't matter.

The only post that comes close to a solution is the one suggesting and anti anxiety pill before the shot.

People avoid dentists due to phobia. Again, the fear isn't rational.

I have largely conquered my phobia of bees, wasps, and needles but I understand it.

**I haven't avoided the vaccine because of needle phobia, I managed to get tested for antibodies 3x and have active antibodies**
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Petrino1
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7:45a, 9/13/21
I saw a black family at CVS yesterday. The mom was trying to get her son to sit down and get the shot but he kept crying and running away. I doubt she ever got him to calm down and get the vaccine.

I suspect a lot of Black people are afraid of needles and probably why a lot of them are hesitant to get vaccinated.
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farmrag
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9:19a, 9/13/21
It's a needle, just go get your shot. I didn't even feel it, some of y'all just need to grow up.
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Sea Speed
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In reply to farmrag • 9:28a, 9/13/21
AG
farmrag said:
It's a needle, just go get your shot. I didn't even feel it, some of y'all just need to grow up.


Dude. Its irrational fear. People everywhere have them for all kinds of things. Do you tell someone scared of heights or spiders or clowns or whatever else to grow up?
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farmrag
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In reply to Sea Speed • 10:48a, 9/13/21
Sea Speed said:
farmrag said:
It's a needle, just go get your shot. I didn't even feel it, some of y'all just need to grow up.


Dude. Its irrational fear. People everywhere have them for all kinds of things. Do you tell someone scared of heights or spiders or clowns or whatever else to grow up?
You just need to face your fear, especially when it's irrational. I use to have a fear of Dentists, I had a bad experience as a child. I had real anxiety regarding it. I realized by not going to the dentist my health could be affected. So I started going to the dentist regularly and no longer have a fear of Dentist. You just have to face it.
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Sea Speed
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In reply to farmrag • 10:52a, 9/13/21
AG
I dont need to face anything as I'm not scared of needles. I find it funny that many other mental issues are treated with kid gloves but these people just need to suck it up.
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double aught
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In reply to wbt5845 • 11:13a, 9/13/21
AG
wbt5845 said:
So I guess donating plasma like I do, where you have to lay there for a couple of hours with that large diameter needle in you, would freak these people all the way ****ing out?
Well I think the needle is removed after insertion, leaving only the catheter. But yeah, they must not have been hard up for beer money in college.
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farmrag
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In reply to Sea Speed • 11:40a, 9/13/21
Sea Speed said:
I dont need to face anything as I'm not scared of needles. I find it funny that many other mental issues are treated with kid gloves but these people just need to suck it up.
I have anxiety, so I understand. Sometime we just need to do things that make us uncomfortable. You think they're not going to use needles if you get covId? You'll have more holes in you than a pin cushion.
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Sea Speed
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In reply to farmrag • 11:42a, 9/13/21
AG
Most folks will not have any needles in them whatsoever if they get covid
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Hodor
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In reply to double aught • 6:06p, 9/13/21
AG
double aught said:
wbt5845 said:
So I guess donating plasma like I do, where you have to lay there for a couple of hours with that large diameter needle in you, would freak these people all the way ****ing out?
Well I think the needle is removed after insertion, leaving only the catheter. But yeah, they must not have been hard up for beer money in college.

No, it's not an IV, but a large bore needle that stays in. I have scars on both arms from giving plasma myself.

Doing medical procedures on people, I've learned that young men and women with tattoos tend to freak out more than anyone else when it comes to needles. It used to surprise me when it happened! I think that there's an element of feeling in control when getting a tattoo that makes it easier.
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Bruce Almighty
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7:22p, 9/13/21
AG
The Covid shot was the weakest shot I've ever had, I didn't even feel it. Four hours later, my arm felt like it got punched by Mike Tyson.
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wbt5845
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7:31p, 9/13/21
AG
I don't know what it is they leave in my arm while doing plasma, but it's big.

I've always donated, never sold it. I guess I'm leaving money on the table, but I don't want to be on a gurney next to some homeless dude for a couple of hours for a measly $100.
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SoulSlaveAG2005
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In reply to wbt5845 • 7:37p, 9/13/21
AG
wbt5845 said:
I don't know what it is they leave in my arm while doing plasma, but it's big.

I've always donated, never sold it. I guess I'm leaving money on the table, but I don't want to be on a gurney next to some homeless dude for a couple of hours for a measly $100.


It's a needle. You aren't leaving money on the table. Paid plasma doesn't go to hospitals for transfusion, it's resold to pharma companies to produce immunoglobulin. Donated plasma/blood/platelets goes to local hospitals for patient transfusions. You are doing the most good with the free gift you have.
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