HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury
If you or your child are anxious about having a vaccination (immunisation) or you're scared of needles, there are several things that can help.
You will need to comfort and reassure your child before and after their vaccination.
If you are anxious about your child’s vaccination, it may be helpful to bring a support person to help.
Do not give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen before their vaccination – health professionals do not recommend it. But you may give your child pain relief afterwards if they have a fever or pain.
Do not use scary words about having a needle or an injection and do not tell them it won’t hurt.
While your child may cry for a short time, this is a normal way of coping. Try to stay calm while comforting them with words and holding them.
Feeding your baby straight after their vaccination may help calm them.
Distract your child with a favourite stuffed toy, blanket, book or game.
You will need to stay for 20 minutes after the vaccination, so you'll need something to keep them busy while you wait.
Prepare for your vaccination visit by:
If you're worried about the needle hurting, tell the vaccinator – they can give you advice about ways to reduce the pain.
You can buy a numbing cream from a pharmacy to put on the skin where you'll get the injection at least one hour before your vaccination. It will be wiped off just before your injection.
If you're concerned about fainting:
If you have severe anxiety about vaccination or needles talk to your GP about other options such as medication.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
Detailed information for parents.
HealthInfo recommends the following apps
A virtual reality app to help you overcome social anxiety and phobias such as fear of needles. There is a free version that shows you how the app works but you need to pay for the app to go through the full programme.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created July 2021.
Review key: HIIMM-47872