i get my dentistry done without freezing, because of the needles. i even attempted a root canal once without freezing. it didn’t go well.
the point is i’m scared of needles and it doesn’t matter if it’s a blood test, a vaccination, an iv, a tiny dentist’s needle or a big syringe. everyone, i think, is scared of something. for me, it’s needles.
it might be for you, too.
which brings me to when i got my covid-19 vaccine. it’s a mixed blessing: i landed myself in the er with an asthma-attack-turned-anaphylaxis last year, which qualified me for an earlier shot than would be the case for others in my age group.
it was a mass vaccination site in an abandoned store in west edmonton. a peace officer with a megaphone shouted which appointment times could line up to come in, have a few forms filled out by masked staff, then i shuffled through the stanchions until, white-faced, i plunked myself down before a nurse.
everyone seemed pretty pleased or relieved to be there. for me, my fear of needles is made worse by two things: being surrounded by people and sitting up. often, i will ask to lay down. it prevents fainting. but i was both surrounded by people and sitting up, however weakly.
i’m pleased to report that i didn’t faint, though it was a near thing. the needle didn’t hurt. i even managed to steel myself to take a look at the vial, as the nurse fished out my dose of pfizer vaccine.