by Flora Brahmbhatt, Pharm.D., CGP

I am a pharmacist and I hate injections! The trauma and anxiety associated with a needle coming towards me stimulates memories of childhood. My mom’s firm grip holding me steady as a nurse or doctor caused me displeasure haunts me to this day. So as an adult, and an informed one at that (or so I would like to believe), I have opted out of having injections. EVER!!
 
And to answer the question which may be forming in your mind, my displeasure has no limits. Whether it is IM, IV, or Sub Q, I don’t care. No one is going to puncture my skin with a sharp object. No one, that is, until I had to get the flu shot. With the current mandate in place, all healthcare professionals, including consultants, must have proof of receiving a flu vaccine prior to entering nursing facilities. And let’s be real here for a minute: I have full faith in the benefits of the flu vaccine. I recommend it to others; I ensure my parents are vaccinated, as well as friends and other family. But I wouldn’t do it to myself…or have someone do it to me.

 
Until November 1, 2012, no one else cared whether I was vaccinated or not. But now, I had nursing home administrators emailing to remind me to get proof of my vaccination. Oh Man!! What I am going to do?!?! So, like every well-connected health care professional, I asked my physician friends to help me out. I made phone calls, sent text messages, even stalked my pals on Facebook to write me a note saying I had received the flu vaccine. Yes, I was desperate to avoid an injection. I even resorted to begging. But, like good healthcare professionals, every one of my friends shot me down, no pun intended.
 
So without any options left, I made an appointment with my physician to get the flu vaccine. I mean, what choice did I have? My livelihood depends on it. Just before she came towards me with the sharp needle I asked her if she would take pity on me and just write me a note. She laughed. I looked away as the alcohol swab touched my skin. I closed my eyes tightly as I anticipated the needle coming closer. And…before I knew it, it was over. And to be honest with you, it wasn’t all that bad. Really!! My doctor offered me a lollipop afterwards and I happily took it. Armed with my lollipop and note saying I had successfully received the flu vaccine in my left deltoid muscle I skipped out of the office.

For everyone who has ever avoided the flu vaccine out of fear of needles and such, my advice is: just do it. The benefits truly outweigh the risks, or the discomfort. And, most importantly, do it for your patients. The elderly folks most of us work with have compromised immune systems and can’t fight the flu as many of us can. I am glad I overcame my fear and I must admit, I am pretty proud of myself.