Our health system has a policy of mandatory flu shots for all employees and volunteers.  There are ways to get an exemption if you have a medical justification that is documented or a religious prohibition that is documented by your faith group.  For those who have been employed for volunteered this event is routine and does not cause much stress.  Yesterday we had our Flu Shot Tent set up from 5 AM to 11 PM.  By the time I left work, 551 people had received their flu shot.

We have a new volunteer in our department that had never had the flu shot and was scared of the process.  I suggested she get the shot early in her shift, and then if she had a reaction she would still be surrounded by a plentiful supply of health care staff to document the reaction and also provide relief from the symptoms.  She saw the logic in my suggestion but still was not convinced she really wanted the vaccine.  I went on with my day and did not give it much thought.

Later I saw the volunteer and she told she had the vaccine and so far she was not having a reaction.  I gave her praise and asked her if she was relieved the process was over.  she replied it was great not having the fear looming in the back of her mind.  Fear is a real emotion, it can weigh us down.  Chaplains often help people process their fears.  This is just an example I can share where fear was relieved and the removal of that fear helped her step forward.  I wish you all the best in confronting your fears and moving beyond them.