Tips before getting vaccinated

doctor, child and caregiver in a doctor office

Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting their children during immunizations.

Tips to help reduce stress, anxiety and pain during vaccinations

Babies and toddlers

Feed your baby during immunization. Being held close to you and sucking helps to reduce their pain.
If you cannot feed them, try holding your baby skin-to-skin.
Follow your baby’s lead and continue holding and feeding after immunization if your baby wants to.

School aged children and teens

Young children

Consider reading stories about what happens when you visit the doctor.

Describe how the injection will feel (e.g., like a pinch) just before the visit; prepare older children the day before.
Tell your child what they can do to ease the discomfort (e.g., sit still, breathe deeply, and relax the arm).
Talk with your child about their feelings and let them ask questions.
Be a role model for your child by staying calm and talking positively.
Distract your child with a favourite toy, blanket, book, music, singing, or telling a joke or a story.
Tell your child to take a deep breath and to blow it out slowly.
Hold your child securely in a comforting hug, sitting upright on your lap, facing forward, or facing you, with the arm exposed. Older children can sit alone if they wish.

Teens

Before the day of the injection, tell your teen what to expect. This is a good time to help them understand that immunizations can keep them from getting sick.
Ask your teen how they are feeling. If your teen is anxious or worried, ask them how they have coped with getting injections in the past.
Allow your teen to ask questions, both to you and to their health care provider.
Encourage your teen to use distractions such as talking or playing games on a mobile device.
Re-use strategies that your teen says have worked in the past.

Topical anesthetics (numbing creams)

Children and adults can use topical anesthetics to numb the skin.
You can buy topical anesthetics at a pharmacy.
Read the instructions before applying the product. It must be on the skin 30 to 60 minutes before the injection(s).
Ask your health care provider to show you the right locations to apply the cream.

Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen

These medications are not recommended before injections. Given prior to injection these medications may stop the vaccination from working well.
These medications may be recommended to you by your health care provider after your child receives their injection (e.g., if the child develops a fever).

Information on vaccine pain management for children is available on Immunize Canada’s website.

CARD (comfort, ask, relax, distract) for kids and adolescents is an evidence-based framework that teaches how to prepare for vaccination and reduces stress-related reactions.