The temporary side effects do go away after the shot.

Fear of fear itself, writing it out helps to sort out the origin and pattern.

Best wishes as you find your better balance.

Getting that vaccine was so hard for me too. Only able to get the First one.. My daughter had a lot of symptoms from the first vaccine which we talked her into getting and I had panic attack and was unable to get the second one. We got Moderna.
My advice take a friend and get the first one and if you can't get the second one at least you have some protection? Pfizer vaccines the best choice for most. Good luck.

I feel the same. I am more afraid of the shot than the virus. What if the shot kills me?????

It's your own personal choice whether you want to get the vaccine. It might help if you weigh the pros and cons of being vaccinated or not vaccinated. Also, checking first with your doctor and talking to him about it first might ease your mind.

I have immune system issues and had to clear it with my doctor first. And even with that, I had concerns about being allergic to something in the shot. I won't lie,.. I was terrified to do it and almost backed out last minute. The only reason I did it is because I take care of my elderly mother and didn't want to get Covid and not be able to take care of her, or have me get the virus and spread it to her. Plus in the city where I live, they are really separating the vaccinated from the non-vaccinated. Only vaccinated people can do this and this, non vaccinated people can't do this or this.... we literally have separate seating in places for if you're vaccinated or non vaccinated. I almost felt forced into getting the vaccine!

I did have really bad side effects from the first shot that lasted over a week. By the time that got better, it was almost time for the second shot (Pfizer, 3 weeks apart). I really didn't want to go back and do the second shot, after my reactions to the first shot. But I figured I was half way there anyway, might as well finish it. I told myself that when I committed to doing this at all, that I would do the full two shots.

You're right. You may get side effects and you might not. I guess the only way to know if you will is to do it. Everyone reacts differently to the shot, so there is no way to know for sure how you will react to it. Weigh the pros and cons of being vaccinated and how it affects your life personally, and make your own decision. Everyone has a different situation and a different reason for doing it or not doing it. Only you can answer that question. I had my Mom to think about, so that's why I did it. To be honest, not sure I would have done it at all if not for her. I still have my concerns how effective these shots really are against catching Covid. It was rough side effects for me after both shots, not going to lie. But you would eventually get over the side effects. For me, it felt like having the flu two times.

Why get a vaccine for a virus that has a 99%+ Recovery rate? But perhaps you should do some research on the vaccine first before you put it into your body. Your anxiety about the vaccine is justified, it’s about how you handle it that creates issues. Again, research first, there is no real rush so don’t push yourself into doing something you may regret. This is your health we are talking about, it is a valid concern.

As a nurse I was also nervous about getting the vaccine but just know that research continually coming out shows it is very effective and safe. When I did get the Moderna vaccine I did have two days of fever and headache but I felt fine right after with some tylonel. Just know that if you have health issues or have a loved one with a compromised immune system this will save their life. You can certainly discuss the pros and cons with your primary care doctor.

Also side note. for those saying the virus has a 99% survival rate tell that to the families of individuals who have died because 1% of deaths is still 400,000 so imagine everybody dying in the city of Boulder, CA and Salt Lake City to put into perspective.

If simply doing the research about something prevented people from having anxiety, no one would ever have anxiety.

The issue in this post to me isn’t about people’s views on the merits of the vaccine. The poster already noted that it is her choice and is just struggling with the anxiety about wanting it but the fear of getting sick after.

So it’s not entirely fair to undermine the decision when it seems evident the poster is just looking for support on working through the anxiety.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Rmb you are right,I am looking for support with the anxiety and I have researched it. So you hit the nail on the head! Matcha.drinker I am a nurse also so sometimes we know too much which adds to our anxiety. Girlin Calif,congratulations on being so brave and selfless for your Mother. Menotme did you get the panic attack from the vaccine or because of the way your daughter reacted to it? So you are all right, but I am looking for help on working through the anxiety of being afraid of the immediate side effects. I also have three children at home to make a decision for. One is 21 so it is really up to him. The other two are 13 and 16 so I will have to decide if it’s safe for them and I would like to be a good example for them. I feel like I am split in half the one that is anxious and the one with just plain common sense. I do respect everyone’s right to chose on this though, but I do feel like the intellectual decision for me is made if I can just get through the emotional fear part of it. Thanks everyone!

I don't know if this helps you or not, but my 89 year old mother just got her first Pfizer shot today! :) It was all her idea! We had gone back and forth on whether she would do it, for probably 6 months. Then suddenly she wanted to just do it so she wouldn't be afraid of catching Covid anymore. Her fear of catching Covid became greater than her fear of the side effects of the shots. She mostly stays at home, so it's not like she was at great risk anyway and she's not been around other people for the last year. Like you, I was afraid of the side effects she would get, with her being that old. So far, she only has tiredness and a little dizziness, but otherwise she's okay. It's been 5 hours since the shot. But so far no major side effects. And she's 89 years old! :)

Did you say before that your husband got two of the Moderna shots? How did he do on that?

I think he could help you to sort through this, since he has been through the shots. Also, talking with your own doctor might give you some reassurance.

Thanks for your comment! Like I said, the way my city has people divided up into what they can or can not do, depending on vaccination status, Places here are requiring showing proof of vaccination! I felt almost forced to go through with this! But I did feel the same way you said, I was afraid of the side effects. The only way to find out was for me to just do it. I think you will feel a little tired after and a little achy, but that's probably the worst of it for the first shot. Most people don't feel too much after the first shot, so you'll probably be just fine :)

A lot of places in my city allow you to not wear a mask of you are vaccinated but they’re not asking for proof, so it’s kind of the honor system.

Having had the shot, I had really no side effects except the second shot made me tired and my arm was pretty sore. I can tell you that for me my biggest worry was having an immediate allergic reaction (hives, breathing issues et). So I stuck round the vaccine place about a 45 minutes just in case since there were EMTs available. Once I got over that hump my anxiety dissipated.

My coworker (who also had COVID last last year) had flu like symptoms with both shots that last about 24 hrs each. She just too Tylenol and tried to sleep. She took the day off after so she could try to relax and rest. Maybe it would help to plan for any side effects, sort of just get in the headspace of, ok, if X happens, I will X.

Oddly enough, both my coworker and I have autoimmune diseases and are both on immunosuppressant therapy to manage our respective diseases. I thought for sure I’d have more side effects just based on my wonky immune system. Nope. It’s just interesting how it affects some people and not others and I’m not entirely sure why.