Dad with needle phobia gets first vaccine sitting in brace position in car listening to The Prodigy
A MAN with a needle phobia had his first jab after waiting ten months - while sitting in the brace position of his car listening to The Prodigy.
Stephen Ellis had the vaccine last month after putting off eleven appointments due to his fear of syringes.
His courage was relayed to Boris Johnson after the PM launched his booster campaign as Omicron rapidly spread through the country.
The dad-of-two, 42, plucked up the courage to have his first jab but insisted he would only have it done in his car with loud music playing.
He originally booked his appointment for February last year but his fear of needles saw him take nearly a year to be jabbed.
Stephen, who has been diabetic since 18 months old, said: “There had been so many occasions where I would walk to the vaccine centre doors and turn around.
“I would then sit in the car for three hours and cry endlessly.
"I knew that I had to have the jab so I could get on with my life again.
“When I finally did get the jab it felt like an out-of-body experience. The vaccine centre wasn’t that busy which helped as I didn’t want to feel any embarrassment if I turned away.
“The volunteer called Hugh talked to me and calmed me down asking me to take off my jumper. I still couldn’t do it
“I said the only way would be to listen to some loud music in the car. So I sat in the seat and went in the brace position like you would if a plane was going down with The Prodigy playing.”
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Stephen, who works in a container depot, has had a fear of needles - known as trypanaphobia - ever since he was a child and was treated daily for diabetes.
He says he became a better patient after attending the Diabetes Centre in Ipswich where he was given an insulin pen.
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He was forced to give up work at the end of 2020 when he had to shield but was horrified when Boris started his vaccine roll-out.
He said: “I was terrified as when I saw the Prime Minister on television I knew I would be that step closer to a needle again.
“I had a blood test about five years ago and that is such a blur. I don’t like anyone touching the side of my arm as it reminds me of needles.
“Even if I see someone walk out of a vaccine centre with cotton wool on their arm where they’ve had the jab it makes me shudder.”
But now Stephen has had his first dose he has “kind of” booked for his second appointment but only if his new NHS pal Hugh can be there for support.
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He adds: “I had nothing against having the vaccine. I was only hesitant because I don’t like needles.
“If this can help anyone in a similar position that can only be good for society in keeping everyone protected.”