It’s that time of year again. Flu Shot Season is upon us, and it’s unlikely that your child—or any child—is particularly thrilled about the prospect of that bonus shot. While we can’t take the pain of the jab away, we can do a few things as parents to make the process a little easier for our kids (and for ourselves, too!).
Fear of Flu Shots and Other Medical Interventions
Medical procedure anxiety is the fear a person feels in anticipation of a medical intervention. It can involve any procedure, from vaccines to surgeries, and it is very common—especially with kids. If you have ever sat in line at a drive-thru pediatric flu clinic, you have likely witnessed someone experiencing medical procedure anxiety. It is no fun for the child or the parent, but adults can help. Strategies include distraction and self-soothing techniques, both of which can help increase a child’s distress tolerance.
How To Help Your Child Before a Vaccine Appointment
One way to help your child build distress tolerance is to teach them how to prepare. You don’t want kids dreading the appointment for weeks, but a 24-hour heads-up can help. Kids (and grownups) like to know what to expect. Depending on your child’s age, you can help them prepare by reading a “social story,” acting out the visit with a stuffed animal, or making a plan with your child for what will happen and how you will help them.
Make a Plan
When making a plan with your child, give them choices so they feel more in control. Maybe they can choose which arm to use, or pick out a special band-aid to bring from home. Perhaps they can choose a fun outing you can do together after the appointment. Choices can make kids feel more invested. But remember, only give them choices on things that they can actually control!
Know Your Kid
Like so many other parenting moments, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The best strategy for your child may be different than the best strategy for another. Some children like to have choices to feel a sense of control. Other children feel overwhelmed by having to make a decision when they are feeling afraid. Follow your kid’s preferences, and reassure them that you will help them through this.
Be Direct But Not Alarming
When talking with your child about what to expect, be direct while using non-threatening language. Instead of telling them it won’t hurt, we can tell them that we will help them find ways to make the hurt go away. If they ask us directly if their shot will hurt, we can say something like, “Different bodies feel things differently. When I got my last shot, it hurt for a little bit, and then I used an ice pack, and it felt better quickly.” Remind them of the ways that they can make it feel better.
At the Appointment
Once you and your child are at the appointment, distraction techniques can help a lot. Blowing bubbles not only distracts them but also encourages kids to breathe deeply, which helps with relaxation. Other kids like listening to music, a favorite story, or a new joke. Some pediatrician offices offer a buzzer or an ice pack to use before the shot. You can also apply ice packs after the shot to help with discomfort.
When It’s More Than Just a Shot: Supporting Your Child at the Hospital
Sometimes kids need more intensive or more frequent medical interventions. Researchers have found that distraction techniques can be less effective when a child undergoes frequent medical procedures because the child becomes used to the distractor. In these cases, parents can seek out new distractors or focus on growing their child’s distress tolerance through other coping strategies. Ask the medical team whether a Child Life Specialist is on staff, or whether they have a topical anesthetic they can use to reduce your child’s discomfort.
Familiarity Can Bring Comfort
You can also help your child by building rapport with their medical team. If you feel comfortable with the medical staff, that can help your child feel more comfortable too. The same goes for equipment. Ask whether your child can try out some of the equipment necessary for the procedure beforehand. If your child needs to get an MRI, he will need to wear equipment like earplugs, headphones, or a belt. You can have them try on similar equipment ahead of the scan. Many children’s hospitals also have videos that show the equipment and explain the procedures to kids.
Another common strategy for building up distress tolerance is through gradual exposure. If a child is afraid of band-aids, for example, you can start addressing that at home by picking out band-aids with your child’s favorite character. You can play with the band-aids by pulling some out of the box, taking one out of the package to look at, or putting one on a piece of paper or on an adult. Just like the distraction techniques that can lose their effect over time due to overexposure, feared items or procedures can start to feel less scary over time as well. We can support our children by giving them opportunities to practice in a calm, safe place. If problems are persistent, consistent, or highly distressing, child and family therapists can also help.
The Bottom Line
Guiding our children through medical procedures can be challenging. You know your child best, and the medical team will benefit from your partnership and expertise. We can help our kids manage their distress by making a plan, bringing fun distractions, rehearsing what will happen, and reaching out to team members for connection or assistance. And don’t forget: these strategies for building up distress tolerance can work for grownups, too!
Sources and Further Reading
Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology
UCLA Health – Making Flu Shots Easier
Mayo Clinic – Tips to Help Parents
Posted by Erin Ker, MSW Intern
Erin Ker, a Clinical Social Work intern at Jonah Green and Associates, LLC, offers therapy for children, teens, families, and adults in North Bethesda, Maryland, serving clients in Montgomery County, DC, and the surrounding areas.