Strategies to Help a Child Who is Fearful of Vaccines

By Sandra Jee, MD, MPH

Practical advice from Finger Lakes Children's Environmental Health Center

As we approach the season for flu, COVID and RSV vaccinations, your child may be fearful of going to the pediatrician to get his or her vaccines. Visits to your pediatric provider may be fraught with fear and anxiety about what vaccines or bloodwork may be needed to keep your child and family healthy. But there are ways that you can allay your child’s fears and partner with your pediatric provider to manage anxiety.

Tips for making the vaccination experience less stressful for you and your child

1. Don’t promise your children that they do not need vaccines or bloodwork if they go to their doctor.
    
2. If your health care provider can be flexible (check first), ask your child if they prefer to get necessary bloodwork or vaccines at the beginning or the end of the health visit.
    
3. For younger children, bring a large I Spy book that can be used to help block the view of the child when receiving the vaccination. For older children, a tablet or listening to music on a phone can be a welcome distraction.
    
4. Using trauma-sensitive language such as “poke” instead of “shot” may be less triggering for some children.
    
5. Comfort positioning: Ask your child if they want to sit by themselves or with someone. Keeping the child upright will be most comfortable for them. Options for assisted positioning include:

   (1) Chest to chest (patient straddling parent)

   (2) Back to chest (parent hugs arms to keep child’s torso still), and

   (3) Side to chest

6. Many pediatric offices may have tools that can be used to reduce pain when giving vaccines:

Tools your pediatrician may use to distract your child while getting vaccines

• The Shotblocker by Bionix is a plastic and reusable device that can be applied directly to the skin when giving the vaccine, and helps to distribute the awareness of the poke across a larger surface area. The contact points on the underside of this device helps to distract the patient from the pain signals caused by the needle poke. 
   
• Another tool, called Buzzy Bee, produced by PainCareLabs can be applied to the skin with an ice pack. The device helps to reduce the pain of the vaccine; it vibrates and helps the patient focus on the vibration instead of the pain from the needle. This also can be purchased for personal use.

These are simple, non-invasive, drug-free methods that can instantly reduce needle pain. 

Getting vaccinated does not have to be traumatic or stressful. Be sure to praise your child for a job well done when all is done.

About the Finger Lakes Children’s Environmental Health Center (FLCEHC)

The Finger Lakes Children’s Environmental Health Center is based at the University of Rochester Medical Center and is supported by New York State Department of Health. We are part of a network of seven children’s environmental health centers across New York State.

We are available to answer any questions and to do free consultations regarding environmental health concerns that you or your family may have. We are also a resource for health care providers.

Environmental health hazards include physical hazards and toxic substances that can enter our bodies through the air or through food or water. They can have many negative effects on physical, mental, and emotional health.

We can answer questions about specific environmental or toxic exposures, including, but not limited to:

• asthma triggers
• chemicals and poisons
• indoor air quality issues
• heavy metal exposure
• mold and pesticides
• climate change impacts on health
• and questions about COVID-19, including for pregnant moms and moms who are breastfeeding.

We offer free phone consultations to health care providers and families to answer their questions about environmental health concerns (such as those noted above). We also have free resources on COVID-19 and on maintaining a healthy home.

To reach us, call our phone line at (585) 275-3638 or toll-free (844) 352-3420 or (844) FLCEHC-0.

Sandra Jee, MD, MPH, is Director of the Finger Lakes Children’s Environmental Health Center and a board-certified pediatrician who sees patients at the  Golisano Children’s Hospital Pediatric Practice of University of Rochester.