The fear of corona vaccines has also reached your children.

This is how you will help them

Most children are afraid of vaccines, naturally.

And when it comes to corona vaccines - joins this fear also all the confusing discourse about the vaccine that comes from every direction.

Have you decided to vaccinate your child?

This will help them overcome their anxiety

Walla!

health

08/12/2021

Wednesday, 08 December 2021, 08:15 Updated: 08:42

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In the video: Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accompanies his son David to be vaccinated against Corona (Walla system!)

Lots of parents are debating these days whether to vaccinate their children against corona, but there are also quite a few who have already been persuaded to vaccinate (much because of the omicron strain) and are now faced with a not at all simple task - convincing their children to get the vaccine.

Although parents decide on health issues, when the child is very anxious and opposed to the vaccine - the task becomes very complex.

More on Walla!

A doctor explains what is the right way to keep the child vaccinated

To the full article

So how do you deal with it?

First, treat fear with the utmost seriousness, without contempt, cynicism or belittling.

"Fear of children receiving an injection or any other medical procedure is a real fear that must be taken very seriously," explains Liat Fox Zach, a district social worker in the Jerusalem-Shefela district of Maccabi Health Services.

"Our children are inundated with information that some of them get from the media and some from the immediate environment, family, school and friends. Some of the information may cause concerns and the need to get a shot may even intensify it," she adds.

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According to Fox Zach, "It is important to know that fear should not be dismissed or underestimated, and certainly not expressed in feelings ('What baby are you', for example). Often the fear stems from a lack of control over the situation "The action will increase. On the other hand, an inappropriate reaction from the adults may aggravate the situation and cause the child future trauma."

So how do you lower your anxiety level?

"It is important to have a preliminary dialogue with the child," says Fox Zach. "That the corona will disappear from the world. Mom and Dad got vaccinated and so did Grandpa or Grandma and even the kindergarten teacher and since you are an adult child - now it's your turn."

Do not give up on coordinating expectations.

Girl vaccinated against corona (Photo: Shai Makhlouf)

She adds that it is important to coordinate expectations so that the child arrives ready and understands the process.

"Some children like to control the situation rationally and intelligently, so explain to them the exact process of vaccination in stages - we will go to the nurses' clinic, sit on the gray chair, the nurse will ask for a magnetic card and ask us some questions, then prepare the injection, etc."

It should be noted that it is important to always tell the truth even if it is an uncomfortable situation.

Do not try to embellish reality and ensure that the injection does not hurt, so as not to damage the child's level of trust in you and the process.

"Explain in clear language that he may feel a slight sting and a feeling of discomfort that will pass quickly," says Fox Zach.

Breathing, role-playing and good music

"When it comes to smaller children, play with the child in a role play," she adds, "get a syringe and play with the nurse and the child who came to get vaccinated. You can also use a doll or a bear who will also get a shot."

In addition, use sedation techniques such as the use of breaths, guided imagery and even a soft object such as a ball that can be pressed when needed.

You can also offer the child to watch a video on their cell phone during the vaccination or listen to soothing music on the headphones.

"After receiving the shot - strengthen the child, allow him to express emotions and ask him what helped him get the vaccine safely and what can help him next time," says Fox Zach, "Tell your relatives that he was a hero and strengthen his self-confidence."

• health

• parenthood

Tags

• Vaccine for corona

• Vaccines

• Children

• anxiety