Covid Vaccine Distribution

[Aerides]

I wonder what pain/risk-of-needle-breakage ratio they used in designing the needles. It may be better if they break more often. When every second counts, they could use the strong ones that hardly bend but maybe for vaccines they can go weaker.

IIRC you haven't had any shots in 2 decades? None of this is a concern. Shots are fast and simple. I've never even heard of a needle breaking for one.

 

[Gumby]

I've never experienced so much resistance that the needle flexed. Perhaps I'm thin-skinned.

I think the needle used to draw blood is thicker than the one used for vaccination, so it is less likely to flex.

 

[mpeirce]

Rest assured, W2R, at CVS or Walgreen your privacy is of utmost importance and they have taken stringent measures to protect it. There’s a privacy screen right next to the prescription drop-off and pick-up line, and when you register, the only people that will hear your personal info are the clerk behind the plexishield, everyone behind the counter in the pharmacy, everyone in line at the pharmacy, and only those random customers that are shopping for anything in the pharmacy section of the store. That’s all, so no worries!

I don't know about CVS and Walgreen, but we got our flu shots at out local Kroger pharmacy. You go into a small room with complete privacy.

 

[W2R]

I don't know about CVS and Walgreen, but we got our flu shots at out local Kroger pharmacy. You go into a small room with complete privacy.

Much better!

 

[CardsFan]

I've never experienced so much resistance that the needle flexed. Perhaps I'm thin-skinned.

Well, that explains a lot of things about your posts.

Just kidding.

 

[REWahoo]

Well, that explains a lot of things about your posts.

You're needling me...

 

[JoeWras]

I think the needle used to draw blood is thicker than the one used for vaccination, so it is less likely to flex.

Thicker? Hell yeah! It is a firehose in comparison.

A vaccination needle is something like 25 gauge. A blood donation needle may be 16 or 18 gauge. Huge! A blood draw for analysis like SMAC testing is probably 21 gauge, in the middle between an injection and blood donation.

I have never been concerned about anything breaking regardless of gauge.

 

[Gumby]

I don't know about CVS and Walgreen, but we got our flu shots at out local Kroger pharmacy. You go into a small room with complete privacy.

That's how it worked when I got my shingles vaccine at CVS.

 

[harllee]

When my mother got her Covid vaccine yesterday they did it in the parking lot and there was a line of 50 people behind her. No privacy whatsoever but that was Ok with her, she just wanted the shot.

 

[EastWest Gal]

I've never experienced so much resistance that the needle flexed. Perhaps I'm thin-skinned.

Having given thousands of vaccines, drawn blood, performed spinal taps, and started IVs on at least hundreds of pediatric patients, skin thickness and resistance to needles does indeed vary quite a bit. Dull or defective needles are rare. I encountered one or two in 35 years in pediatric practice. Just change the needle.

 

[simple girl]

I'm not really squeamish, but its getting tiresome watching those up-close needle injections on the news. They really want to zoom in so you see everything.

+1! I was just talking about this with a friend. I am typically pretty stoic with regards to medical procedures, but geez...I don't need to see the needle going into the body that close up, lol!

 

[Boho]

I purposely searched for a good look at it. I watched a YouTube video titled "I Got the COVID-19 Vaccine - What to Expect 12 + 36 Hours Later". The person giving it seemed to raise her hand as the needle was penetrating the arm. I would have thought one if the key things would be to make it as straight as possible. But the patient didn't really wince so I guess it's no big deal.

And it was a push, not a quick stab to penetrate the skin. I've seen quick stabs elsewhere, for different vaccines.

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

The instruction I was given was hold the syringe like a throwing dart. Take it in straight and think "fast, slow, fast." Fast to insert, slow to depress the plunger. Count a couple seconds, then fast and straight out. Dont touch the plunger until the needle is all the way in.

 

[harllee]

My 89 year old mom who had the Pfizer Covid vaccine yesterday said she did not feel a thing--much less painful then flu or shingles vaccine. And so far she has had no side effects whatsoever.

 

[audreyh1]

That’s very good news!

 

[Chuckanut]

When my mother got her Covid vaccine yesterday they did it in the parking lot and there was a line of 50 people behind her. No privacy whatsoever but that was Ok with her, she just wanted the shot.

I think it will be a bit much to expect privacy in what should be a mass vaccination effort. OTOH, nobody should be loudly talking about your health situation so that the next dozen people can clearly hear each word while they are listening to Led Zeppelin on their Air Pods.

 

[ivinsfan]

Chuckanut, there is no privacy in this world anyway....

 

[skipro33]

And what's with the length of these needles?! I remember my flu shot, the needle was MAYBE 1/2" long. The ones shown on the TV look like it could pass clear through my arm or at least hit the bone. I notice the nurse is pinching the area to plump up a spot so they got enough meat to bottom out the needle without jabbing clean through.
I'm frightened......

 

[SecondCor521]

And what's with the length of these needles?! I remember my flu shot, the needle was MAYBE 1/2" long. The ones shown on the TV look like it could pass clear through my arm or at least hit the bone. I notice the nurse is pinching the area to plump up a spot so they got enough meat to bottom out the needle without jabbing clean through.
I'm frightened......

Some medical people might be along soon to correct me on this, but I think:

a. The COVID vaccines are supposed to be injected into muscle. So the needles have to be long enough to get through the skin and any fat. American arms are generally somewhat fat, and might occasionally be very fat.

b. I think pinching the arm helps the shot itself not hurt as much. It may also help the medical professional tell how much fat there is that needs to be gotten through.

I've never heard of a medical professional hitting bone or going completely through the arm.

 

[harllee]

And what's with the length of these needles?! I remember my flu shot, the needle was MAYBE 1/2" long. The ones shown on the TV look like it could pass clear through my arm or at least hit the bone. I notice the nurse is pinching the area to plump up a spot so they got enough meat to bottom out the needle without jabbing clean through.
I'm frightened......

If my 89 year old mother got the Covid shot and said it did not hurt at all I think there is nothing to fear. Just buck up and take the shot!

And why do we call it a "shot" in the US and they call it a "jab" in the UK?

 

[EastWest Gal]

And what's with the length of these needles?! I remember my flu shot, the needle was MAYBE 1/2" long. The ones shown on the TV look like it could pass clear through my arm or at least hit the bone. I notice the nurse is pinching the area to plump up a spot so they got enough meat to bottom out the needle without jabbing clean through.

I'm frightened......

5/8” 25 gauge needle. They pictures show them using a 1 ml tuberculin syringe. To reduce the slight pain sensation, exhale during the injection.

 

[RetireBy90]

And what's with the length of these needles?! I remember my flu shot, the needle was MAYBE 1/2" long. The ones shown on the TV look like it could pass clear through my arm or at least hit the bone. I notice the nurse is pinching the area to plump up a spot so they got enough meat to bottom out the needle without jabbing clean through.
I'm frightened......

Wait till they get the dentists activated to give the shot/jab. Remember those long needles they use ?

 

[Boho]

Oh, I'd bet anything they hit bone regularly.

 

[Sunset]

Oh, I'd bet anything they hit bone regularly.

That's what I think too.
Probably why my shingles and flu shot both hurt at the injection site for a couple of days. Bruised the bone or chipped it

 

[ivinsfan]

That's what I think too.
Probably why my shingles and flu shot both hurt at the injection site for a couple of days. Bruised the bone or chipped it

you guys need to flesh out those upper arms..