"So disappointed in the healthcare system"

I have low immunity following breast cancer, chemotherapy finished almost a year ago. I am worried about Covid and pre cancer became very anxious, cancer diagnosis and treatment only enhanced my anxiety. I also have anxiety relating to needles, tried to suppress but still there. I had 2 x AstraZeneca, mild side effects. 2 x Pfizer, major side effects, like almost worse than chemotherapy and I can’t even explain how bad that was. I called Fife immunisation team when sent letter for covid 5, felt like a person, they were so lovely and they arranged Covid 5 to be AZ. They treated me in a person centred way and I felt my care was individualised. 

Then it all went wrong and I was left upset and crying, for the whole day. My treatment was appalling, I turned up expecting my AZ jab and was interrogated by HCP. I said I was very anxious as they were talking and asked them to let me finish my sentence. Compassion zero, empathy zero. Is this what I deserve? No it isn’t. They then left saying the AZ would be forthcoming. Left for a long time, had a lovely conversation with the jab nurse after having a crying breakdown (me). Then HCP comes back and says essentially that the computer says no. Spoken to head of immunisation, they said no, not been clinically assessed, suggested that they were in power here not me. Also said that unless I had an anaphylactic effect then I’d still get Pfizer. I found it unkind, I did not feel that I was assessed and treated like a person! So, I’ll just get Covid then and be a burden on the system. 

What was the point of my many calls, I am scared to go anywhere, I called the immunisation team in advance so I didn’t have an issue when I got to the vaccination centre.

 

They knew I was immunosuppressed, obviously wasn’t over 75 and treated me so badly. I cried, it’s extremely hard recovering from cancer, my confidence is low and lowered again today.

I want to protect myself from covid, went to do that today after arranging in advance, or so I thought. How did I feel? Disposed of. Did you follow the process? I was told, not advised, to get an appointment with my GP, asked why didn’t I tell them about your side effects before? Apparently GP assesses, refers to immunisation team who further assess if my future covid jabs are not Pfizer. Maybe somebody should tell the immunisation team.  

I think I may just pass on the jab now, take my chances. So disappointed in my healthcare system today, it only takes a few people to make people/patients feel so low. There should be better guidance, I asked why immunisation Fife said it was okay, I’d get AZ. They know nothing, I was told, administrators are not health professionals. Is this okay, I think not.