Try these five simple ways to help your child feel safe and supported during their vaccination
We know you’re concerned about your child’s reaction to getting a vaccination. Vaccinations are an important part of a robust family winter defence plan. But you know what, the truth is no one enjoys them.
The good news is there’s plenty you can do as parents – and we can do as Pharmacists – to help your children feel safe.
Here are five ways.
Tell them about vaccinations
Talk to your child, being open and honest about why vaccination is important. You may like to use an analogy such as:
“A seatbelt helps protect our body in the car and our vaccination helps protect our body against some diseases.”
“You know how we need to keep practicing to beat the other team at soccer? Well, a vaccination helps our body practice, in case it needs to play a game against a disease. It helps it get ready to win.”
“A vaccination is like a guide to beat the big boss, just like you do in your video games. You could beat the boss alone, but the guide makes it much easier.”
“You know how we put on sunscreen, to protect our skin so it’s harder for our skin to burn? Well, the vaccine makes it harder for our body to get sick.”
Don't discuss pain
It’s usually the idea of feeling pain which concerns children, which is understandable! It can help to swap words like pain for alternatives such as discomfort, bother, pinch or uncomfortable feeling.
You can also help your child “decide” to feel differently. Instead of saying “I know it’s going to hurt,” you could try “You’re the boss of your body and your mind. You might feel something or you might not. You could decide not to notice it, what do you think?”
Louis Jamal
TerryWhite Chemmart Pharmacist
Playford, SA
Tell them about vaccinations
Talk to your child, being open and honest about why vaccination is important. You may like to use an analogy such as:
“A seatbelt helps protect our body in the car and our vaccination helps protect our body against some diseases.”
“You know how we need to keep practicing to beat the other team at soccer? Well, a vaccination helps our body practice, in case it needs to play a game against a disease. It helps it get ready to win.”
“A vaccination is like a guide to beat the big boss, just like you do in your video games. You could beat the boss alone, but the guide makes it much easier.”
“You know how we put on sunscreen, to protect our skin so it’s harder for our skin to burn? Well, the vaccine makes it harder for our body to get sick.”
Don't discuss pain
It’s usually the idea of feeling pain which concerns children, which is understandable! It can help to swap words like pain for alternatives such as discomfort, bother, pinch or uncomfortable feeling.
You can also help your child “decide” to feel differently. Instead of saying “I know it’s going to hurt,” you could try “You’re the boss of your body and your mind. You might feel something or you might not. You could decide not to notice it, what do you think?”
Louis Jamal
TerryWhite Chemmart Pharmacist
Playford, SA
Use comforting positions
The way your child sits during a vaccination goes a long way to making it a good experience. It isn’t good practice to restrain or hold your child down. Instead, use your trusted relationship with them to hold your child in a way that makes them feel comfortable and safe. Ask your Pharmacist to show you comfortable, relaxed ways to sit your child on your lap, that still let the Pharmacist do their job.
Distract, distract, distract
Ask older children if they would prefer to sit quietly or do something to distract them during the vaccination. Offer them a choice of distractions, such as:
- watching a video on your phone
- listening to a favourite song
- being told a story
- snuggling with a favourite toy or blanket
Offer a reward
Maybe they could pick that night’s dinner or a special treat, like a visit to a café, the park, pool or a friend’s house. Coupled with a calm mindset, these five tips will help make your child's next vaccination a breeze!