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Tips before getting vaccinated

HomeHealth TopicsImmunizations and vaccinesTips before getting vaccinated
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doctor, child and caregiver in a doctor office

Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting their children during immunizations.

Tips to help reduce stress, anxiety and pain during vaccinations

Babies and toddlers

  • Feed your baby during immunization. Being held close to you and sucking helps to reduce their pain.
  • If you cannot feed them, try holding your baby skin-to-skin.
  • Follow your baby’s lead and continue holding and feeding after immunization if your baby wants to.

School aged children and teens

Young children

  • Consider reading stories about what happens when you visit the doctor.
  • Describe how the injection will feel (e.g., like a pinch) just before the visit; prepare older children the day before.
  • Tell your child what they can do to ease the discomfort (e.g., sit still, breathe deeply, and relax the arm).
  • Talk with your child about their feelings and let them ask questions.
  • Be a role model for your child by staying calm and talking positively.
  • Distract your child with a favourite toy, blanket, book, music, singing, or telling a joke or a story.
  • Tell your child to take a deep breath and to blow it out slowly.
  • Hold your child securely in a comforting hug, sitting upright on your lap, facing forward, or facing you, with the arm exposed. Older children can sit alone if they wish.

Teens

  • Before the day of the injection, tell your teen what to expect. This is a good time to help them understand that immunizations can keep them from getting sick.
  • Ask your teen how they are feeling. If your teen is anxious or worried, ask them how they have coped with getting injections in the past.
  • Allow your teen to ask questions, both to you and to their health care provider.
  • Encourage your teen to use distractions such as talking or playing games on a mobile device.
  • Re-use strategies that your teen says have worked in the past.

Topical anesthetics (numbing creams)

  • Children and adults can use topical anesthetics to numb the skin.
  • You can buy topical anesthetics at a pharmacy.
  • Read the instructions before applying the product. It must be on the skin 30 to 60 minutes before the injection(s).
  • Ask your health care provider to show you the right locations to apply the cream.

Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen

  • These medications are not recommended before injections. Given prior to injection these medications may stop the vaccination from working well.
  • These medications may be recommended to you by your health care provider after your child receives their injection (e.g., if the child develops a fever).

Information on vaccine pain management for children is available on Immunize Canada’s website.

CARD (comfort, ask, relax, distract) for kids and adolescents is an evidence-based framework that teaches how to prepare for vaccination and reduces stress-related reactions.

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