Desired by the French government, theexpansion of immunization coverage anti-Covid is still suspended from the opinions of the High Authority of Health and the National Consultative Ethics Committee. But as in Israel, the United States, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Greece or Spain, it is likely to be extended to all 5-11 year olds, or around 6 million d ‘children. From the first days of 2022, hopes the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran.
Pending these opinions, vaccination is currently reserved for 350,000 children at risk in this age group, because they present co-morbidities or live in the entourage of an immunocompromised person. If we can explain to the greatest the stakes of this vaccination, for them and for the others, the youngest are especially worried to know if the bite, it will hurt. Here are some ways to reassure them.
–
Focus on discussion
Before the injection. Even if he is only 5 years old, your child has already lived for almost two years in a context of health crisis. He meets people who wear masks, washes their hands dozens of times a day and has heard for months about the virus … and the vaccine. You can therefore discuss the vaccination with him, and answer his questions. To alleviate any fears, explain to him that the vaccine will keep him healthy, and that at the time of the injection, he will feel a small tingling that will not last long. You can also detail the course of the session: will it take place at his usual doctor? To the hospital ? In a vaccination center? Support such than a video adapted to his age will make things more concrete. That of the Sparadrap * association, for example.
During the injection. Before reassuring your child, you must be calm yourself. If you are feeling anxious, breathe slowly and deeply. Talk to your child as normally as possible, avoiding using “words that refer to pain,” advises mpedia.fr, the site of the French Association for Ambulatory Pediatrics. As when he was very young, you can also distract your child in order to divert his attention from the needle: in fact, “the part of the brain associated with pain is less active when children are distracted”. With a toy, a song, a joke… or by making him breathe deeply. If, on the other hand, he wishes to watch the act of vaccination, do not prevent him from doing so.
After the injection. There it is, it’s finished ! Hug, kiss, blanket, candy … all means are good to congratulate and comfort him. In another register, an analgesic may be prescribed to limit a possible fever, pain in the arm, etc. And if the symptoms persist, “in case of doubt or side effects, contact a health professional who will tell you the right course of action”.
* Founded by parents and health professionals, the Sparadrap association has been helping children for more than twenty years “to have less pain and less fear during treatment and in hospital”.
–
