January 17, 2022
In
Eleanor Clinic
Covid vaccinations at Eleanor Clinic for children aged 5-11 years
Our vaccination clinics for children aged 5-11 years have been extremely well received. Thank you every one for booking in your children. If you need an appointment you can book in here.
If you have questions about the vaccine please book a regular appointment with your GP. This gives us the time to answer all your questions.
Our goal is making the kids vaccination clinics as smooth and mostly as fun as possible to the little ones. Our team is working extra shifts to get these vaccinations done. We know how important it is that the children have a good experience receiving their doses. Encourage your child to bring their favourite teddy or cuddle toy. We have lollipops and stickers and some really silly jokes. Even better if you can tell us your favourite joke!
There’s some more helpful information on the Raising Children’s Website
Children might have varying feelings about COVID-19 vaccination. Many children will be OK with it. But some might be worried about getting an injection. Some might also have heard misinformation from friends or other sources and feel worried about the vaccine.
This means it can help to talk with your child about vaccination before the appointment. When you talk and what you say depends on your child’s age, development and feelings.
For example, some children might prefer to be told on the morning of their appointment. This will stop them overthinking things and feeling more anxious. You could say something like ‘We’re going to the doctor for some arm medicine, then we’ll go to the park’.
Other children might prefer to be told a few days before the appointment, so they have time to prepare and ask questions. For example, they might want to know what will happen at the appointment, why they need vaccination and whether it will hurt.
It’s always best to give your child clear, accurate, age-appropriate information that they can understand. For example:- For a child who’s worried about the injection, you could say ‘The needle might pinch a bit, but it’s over very quickly’.
- For a child who wants to know how vaccination works, you could say ‘The medicine helps your body make blood soldiers. If you get the virus, the soldiers can fight it for you’.
If you don’t know the answer to a question, tell your child you’ll find out. Make sure you get back to them. And if your child feels nervous or worried, it’s important to acknowledge and name these feelings. This can help your child understand and manage their emotions.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccination: handling children’s injection anxiety or needle phobia
If your child is nervous about injections or has a needle phobia, these tips can help them have a positive experience when they get their COVID-19 vaccination:
- Get vaccinated at a GP clinic or with your child’s usual GP. This is more private and might be more comfortable for your child.
- If you have questions for the immunisation provider, call ahead to discuss these. Long conversations just before a vaccination can make children more anxious.
- Give your child some choice so they feel more in control of the situation. You could ask which day they want to be vaccinated, what they want to do during the vaccination or what they want to do afterwards.
- Ask the immunisation provider whether they have anaesthetic creams or gels to numb the injection area. If they don’t, you can get creams or gels at a pharmacy and take them to the clinic yourself. Some immunisation providers have a small vibrating device (a ‘buzzy’) that can reduce pain at the injection area.
- Make sure your child is wearing short sleeves. If your child is wearing a jumper, get them to take it off before going in for the appointment.
- Distract your child during the vaccination. For example, get your child to play with noisy toys, watch a video on a tablet or phone, or answer a question like ‘Where’s your favourite place to go on holidays?’
- If your child is older, encourage them to do breathing exercises or relaxation exercises. Your child can practise these exercises beforehand and do them during the vaccination.
If you need extra support, contact your immunisation provider. They can talk with you about the best way to get your child vaccinated.
Some children with severe needle phobia might need to see a psychologist or hypnotherapist to work through their phobia.
