How to prepare for an injection and relieve pain

How to decrease pain after injection

It is normal to have pain after the injection/vaccination. A foreign substance has been injected into the tissues which causes an inflammatory response. For that reason, it is also possible that temporary redness, soreness or swelling occurs in the area of the injection.

If you experience discomfort after getting your vaccination, here are some ways to reduce and ease the pain:

• Apply a cool wet cloth on the sore areas
• Ask your healthcare professional for an over-the-counter pain relief medication

Needles, needles, needles

Vaccinations are essential to a child’s health and growth. Getting the right vaccines at the right time is important to protect them from serious preventable diseases.

Most vaccine injections are done with a needle which can be stressful and painful for the children. In fact, approximately 90% of children from 15-18 months and 45% of children from 4-6 years present  symptoms of anxiety at the time of vaccination.

It is understandable and normal for the parents to be preoccupied or anxious for their children. As a parent, creating a positive experience for his/her children is key. It can prevent apprehension of future vaccinations and increase adherence to the vaccine schedule.

How to prepare children BEFORE vaccination

Prepare your child for the vaccination:

• If your child is old enough to understand, discuss what the vaccination is and answer honestly the questions your child might have.
• Do not tell your child that the injection is painless. Instead, tell him/her that the injection might cause a stinging, tingling or pinching sensation and that it will not last long.
• Explain the importance of being vaccinated and how it will proceed.
• Never use the vaccination as a way of punishing the child.

As the parent/caregiver, your behaviour and attitude are just as important:

• Use a calm and soft voice when addressing your child.
• Children are aware and influenced by their parent’s/caregiver’s emotion and learn from them.
• Try to relax and stay calm.Being anxious or scared will only frighten the child more.
• Avoid apologizing and using words referring to pain. For example, avoid: “I’m sorry you have to go through this” and words like “pain, hurt, or sting”. Instead use words such as “pressure, squeezing, or poking”
• After getting vaccinated, reward the child in different ways (ex: giving hugs, candies, toys, etc).
• Smile ☺

Bring your child’s favorite objects and toys:

• It will help distract your child while getting the injection

Medications to relieve pain after vaccination:

• Topical anesthetic may be used 30-60min before the vaccination to reduce the pain by numbing the skin. Various topical anesthetics are available over the counter. Consult your healthcare professional to see if your child can benefit from it and how to apply it.

How to calm your children during vaccination

Make it comfortable for your child:

• Cuddle your child or baby during the procedure. It will create a calm and safe environment for the child.
• If possible, having the child sit upright will help him/her feel more secure and in control of the situation.

Distractions:

• Having a toy, book, or an object to play with will divert the child’s attention from the injection and make it a less painful experience.
• The same logic applies to old children. Having a conversation or asking question on a subject that interests them is often sufficient to distract them. Music, video games or books can also do the trick.

At a Glance

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