Kids’ reactions to getting vaccine shots can range from simple apprehension to total terror. Most kids, like plenty of adults, fear shots at some point in their lives.
Dr. Soren Johnson, a pediatrician with Novant Health Robinhood Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine in Winston-Salem, provided insight for parents on how to handle taking their child in for vaccines — including what not to do.
Do kids outgrow fear of shots?
Fear of shots is almost universal because — let’s face it — shots hurt! But not every child is the same. Ages 3 to 6 tend to have the most anxiety about it beforehand. Most kids start to realize as they get older that immunizations don't actually hurt all that badly and the immunizations only take a couple seconds.
Most children by about 10 can handle getting shots without much fussing or worry. Rarely, some kids never seem to outgrow the anxiety over getting immunizations. But every once in a while, we have kids ask to get a shot! Yes, really!
How to schedule your flu shot
Current Novant Health patients: schedule your shot with your primary care provider here.
Don’t have a primary care provider? Visit one of our walk-in clinics.
Are there any proven techniques to make children more at ease with getting shots?
We use simple methods to alleviate pain from shots. Generally, it helps minimize pain if the child does not watch the actual injection. It also helps alleviate pain to apply firm pressure to the injection site, or rub nearby firmly. There are some gadgets marketed to distract from pain by applying a strong vibration near the injection site, but in our experience these products are not terribly effective.
We work very hard to make sure kids are comfortable in our office no matter what is going on. Toddlers tend to have some anxiety about shots, and for them distraction is often helpful. A short video on a phone can help, and counting or singing a favorite song is a great strategy for parents.
Are there creams and patches available to make the traditional shot easier for kids?
There is a numbing medicine that can be applied to the skin to help minimize pain, but it is not very effective for immunizations. It only numbs the skin surface and not the muscle underneath, and it also takes 30 to 45 minutes to work. In some kids, having the numbing cream may relieve anxiety about the shot, and in others it only increases anxiety.
How important is it that parents try to encourage their kids to get flu shots even if the child says they don’t want one?
If possible, parents should always help to comfort their child and acknowledge that it's OK to be worried and acknowledge that pain is not fun. But it's also important for parents to try to let the child know that the parent thinks the shot is a good idea. Staying healthy and strong is important. Immunizations are not punishments.
Can my child get the flu shot at the same time as their COVID-19 booster?
Yes. Both vaccines can be administered at the same time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How do we know the COVID-19 vaccine is OK for young children?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug administration said multiple reviews show the vaccines are safe and highly effective. Children ages 5-11 have been cleared to receive the vaccines since November 2021. Despite misinformation spread online, the vaccine cannot affect the future fertility of children.
Are there any major “don’ts” for parents?
Please do not lie to your child and tell them there will not be any shots at their visit if you know it's time for a flu shot or other immunizations. It's always important for children to know they can trust their parents and trust their doctor. If they ask you about it prior to the visit and you know they will be very anxious, you can always try to delay with, "We'll have to see what the doctor recommends."
It’s OK to tell a child you'll give them a reward or prize if they sit still for the shot, but don't tell your child not to cry — it's OK to cry if it hurts! Do not shame a child for a natural aversion to pain.
Can my child get the flu from the flu shot?
No, it is medically impossible to get the flu from a flu shot. The flu shot contains inactivated pieces of the flu virus that cannot cause influenza. You are much more likely to get the flu each year than you are to be unlucky enough to have a serious side effect from the flu shot.
