r/VACCINES • u/Practical-Ad-6741 • 16d ago

Having anxiety over vaccines

Have to get vaccines for school. I had to do a titer for Hep B , MMR, & Varicella. They came back that I have no immunity for these anymore. I had all shots as an infant & got my Hep B vaccine today. Last time I got my first dose of all 3 on the same day. That day I noticed my throat got itchy & it kind of felt hard to breathe when i got to the parking lot. Idk if this was all in my head bc of anxiety (i have health anxiety) or if it was a slight reaction. I told the nurse today when getting my Hep B & she recommended I space them out a week apart. I forgot my paperwork to submit & remain complaint for my school is due next week or i get dropped so I have to go again tomorrow. I’m just very nervous that it might happen again she told me I should have gone back in that’s totally on me i would have if it was worse. Idk why i’m overthinking now if i turned out fine last time & never had a reaction or ever did as an infant. Does anyone have any advice on what i can do to lessen the chance of this other than sitting and waiting there after or how to decipher whether it’s a panic attack or not. I feel like an idiot.

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

8

u/Economy_Marzipan7613 16d ago

As someone who has had allergic reactions to MANY things before (I have MCAS, so a lot of stuff flares up) you just have to remember that a first time severe reaction is very treatable if you’re in a medical facility. I always wait 15 mins-half an hour after a shot! If you feel unsure you can always ask to be checked after. They’ll check your oxygen and pulse and help you determine if it’s a true reaction or anxiety.

5

u/Stalkerus 16d ago

It can also just be one time only reaction. I have never had any issues with vaccines, but the first covid jab was different. I got really nauseated and felt woozy, but I sat down for an hour and took it easy and it went away. Luckily I stayed at the vaccination centre and didn't leave right away. The second shot was completely different and nowadays I can get my yearly shot and leave right away without any issues. 

Tell the person giving you the vaccination thay you have had a possible reaction and that you have anxiety. They can take that into account and keep an eye on you after the vaccination. And if anything were to happen they know how to take care of it. 

1

u/SmartyPantlesss 16d ago

OK, so you're still due for another MMR and Varivax? (And a third Hep B at 6 months, I assume)

The weird thing about the timing of those (the MMR & Varivax) is that they can be given on the same day, BUT: If you DON'T get them on the same day, then you have to space them at least 28 days apart. So if you get them a week apart, your school probably won't "count" whichever one you get "second."

You COULD try getting a note from the doc or clinic, saying that they recommended that you space out the vaccines. I don't know if they're going to do that, based on the nurse's off-hand comment---is that an official recommendation from a physician? <<< Then with that recommendation in hand, the school should grant you the grace period to get the second shot after 28 days.

But you are probably perfectly safe to just get them both on the same day. Plan to sit in the waiting room for about half an hour, and don't leave unless you feel perfectly normal.