How to Talk to Children About H1N1 Vaccinations
Preparing Toddlers for the Swine Flu Vaccination
Nov 3, 2009
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and health authorities around the world have identified certain groups of people as high risk for the H1N1 flu virus, also known as swine flu.
Who is at Risk of Contacting H1N1
Those least at risk of contacting H1N1, and therefore, those who will not be getting the vaccine in the immediate future are people 65 years and older. People born prior to 1957 also have very little chance of contacting the virus. So who is at risk?
- Pregnant women
- Children six months to five-years-old and their caregivers
- People with asthma
- People who are immune compromised
- Front line health-care workers and emergency workers
- People with chronic health disorders
Young Children Being Vaccinated Shouldn't be Fearful
In temporary vaccination clinics and doctors' offices, young children 5 years and under and their parents are lining up for the H1N1 vaccine. Media reports on radio, television and in newspapers show graphic images of toddlers, wide-eyed with terror, sitting on clinic chairs with a needle sticking out of each arm.
Getting vaccinated doesn't and shouldn't be such a stressful experience and handled correctly, youngsters should be able to be immunized without any of the inherent trauma seen and reported in the media.
What to Tell Children About Being Vaccinated for H1N1
The first rule when talking to young children about any vaccinations including H1N1 is K.I.S.S. Keep it Simple. Children under five-years-old do not need explicit details, but they do need enough information to ease their fears and answer their questions.
Prior to the Vaccination for H1N1, don't tell young children:
- That the needle won't hurt a bit
- That if they don't get the vaccine they might die
- That they have to be brave and not cry
Prior to the Vaccination for H1N1, do tell young children:
- That the needle might hurt a little bit
- That is it okay to be a little afraid
- That it is okay to cry if it makes them feel better
Residents of isolated communities where there are fewer or no restrictions on who can be vaccinated for H1N1 should make every effort to go to the clinic as a family. Parents should hold children on their knees during the shot and talk to them and reassure them in a relaxed tone of voice. This is an important time for adults to not show their own fears and phobias around needles. Children pick up on this very quickly. Children equally sense when their parents are relaxed and unafraid.
Discussing H1N1 at Home
H1N1 is discussed constantly both at work around the water-cooler and at home around the dinner table. All too often, parents of young children forget how much these little people can understand. Be aware of any discussions about swine flu that are held in front of toddlers and school-age kids. If parents are debating the pros and cons of vaccination, they should do so outside of the hearing of their children.
By following these simple steps, parents can ensure their children's vaccination is as stress free as possible.
For more information, read about Symptons of Swine Flu How to Avoid H1N1
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