My daughters got to have a flu jab and is terrified!!!?

Question

On monday I've got to take my 7 year old daughter to have a flu jab, she is terrified of this and sobs everytime its mentioned. Last year I took her 3 times to have it done and each time she cried so much the doctor wouldn't do it!! Her words were 'I can't shoot a moving target!!'
What can I do to make it easier for her? I have told her I will treat her afterwards to a new toy but thats not helping.
She needs to have it done, last year she had 3 chest infections and ended up in hospital!!!!!

minty - she has asthma, which is why she has to have it!

Answer 1

My daughter also needs to get flu shots every year. She is diabetic, so she gets 5-7 shots every single day. While she was in the hospital, scared of needles and shots, and everything that was going on, the nurses gave her a Needle Beetle. It's a round ladybug that she can squeeze when getting her shots so she's not scared. We don't use it everyday anymore, but we do use it for special occasions, like the flu shot she got 2 days ago. Her brothers also use it.
At 7, your daughter is old enough to understand what is going on. Sit down and have a talk with her about what is going to happen. You can explain why she needs this shot, and the consequences if she doesn't. Going through the pain of one little shot that can help her so much is way better than a hospital stay that would involve lots of pokes for IVs and blood work. Ask her to share why she is so scared, and ask what you can do to help her to feel brave. Does she have a favorite animal, toy, etc.? Can she pick the site for injection? My kids chose arms this year, but legs also work. She might feel a little more in control if she can choose, or if she can do the "countdown" before the shot. I wish you the best of luck, and a very healthy year.

Answer 2

You could try getting some books about hospital/doctors that show the thought is more scary than the reality. At 7 you could also explain that the only people who get a flu jab are people who are more susceptible to have it badly; thus it is to help her.
If she realises why she is having it, that its for her own benefit it may help.
Tell her that she had injections when she was a baby that help her fight off nasty bugs and keep her well. She is old enought to explain what an injection is about.
You could try her teddy/doll having a flu jab, it is common practice in hospitals to explain via this method. It helps get it straight in the childs mind, what is going to happen and how they may feel afterwards. Play doctors and nurses with her for next few days and do pretend jabs.

All the best.

Answer 3

Are you actually using the word "jab" with her? Because that terrifies me!
Shots hurt. Don't say it won't because then the child doesn't trust you after that. But, they don't hurt as much as we think they do.
As a child I had to get allergy shots in both arms once a week. And they hurt when you get it and your arm hurts for a few days afterwards, too. The flu shot isn't like that at all, thank goodness!
I would let her know though that if she moves too much, it will hurt more. The needle moves in the arm and can cause damage, which will hurt more!
But please STOP using the work JAB! That can't be helping!

Answer 4

Perhaps she can lay down to get the shot. Then she won't be moving so much. That would be a short term solution. Since this is something she will have to do every year and she has such a powerful reaction to it, perhaps the doctor can refer you to a child psycologist. That psychologist can help your daughter to get over her fear of needles. Overcoming fears is one of the easiest mental conditions to treat. Also there is something called thought field therapy that may work as well. It is a method of tapping in certain places that removes the fear. A psychologist who specializes in this area could teach you how to do it so, you can do the pattern with your child before she has to get a shot each time. It may sound like superstition, but if it works and doesn't harm the child, what's wrong with that.

Answer 5

She doesn't need to have it done. Flu jabs are of no benefit.
Neither are any other sort of jab.
What you can do to make it easier for her.is to say that you had believed the drug company propaganda, but now you have discovered the truth, and she doesn't have to have the jab.


Do NOT get vaccinated.

A vaccinated person is MORE likely to get a disease than a non-vaccinated person. The whole theory of vaccination is flawed. It causes a weakening of the immune system thus making those who are innoculated more susceptible to disease.
There are so many awful side effects to vaccination that it should be considered extremely dangerous.
Just sit back and think for a while.
Is there any sense in injecting a disease directly into your body.
We have been subjected to an awful mind control program to enable the drug manufacturers to make a fortune.

The Vaccination Hoax
http://www.whale.to/b/hoax1.html


If you want to study the history of vaccination, see
http://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/vaccination.html


Flu shots worthless
http://www.newstarget.com/020912.html

Answer 6

I guess her health problems make her more nervous of more medical things happening to her. Keep reassuring her, the needle is like a poke..a mosquito bite..(if that)..It is understandable she is nervous. Get a book from the library..there are lots about a child's nerviness with Dr's etc. If she takes a big deep breath as th Dr is gives her the needle..she will concentrate on that instead of the needle. Have her close her eyes and think of her favourite treat..that you will get her after. Just be extra reassuring ..repeating the needle is small poke that goes away before she Will know it. You should get one before her so she can see your reaction. Also, have her take a stuffed animal or something along she can hold on tight to while this is happening.

Answer 7

Explain to her that she needs to have medicine to stop her getting sick. Then leave further discussion until you are on your way to have it done. Remain calm and matter of fact with her, no matter how stressed and upset she gets. Have your's done at the same time so she can see how it can be ok. Make her understand that you will not be leaving the doctor's without it being done- if she thinks that is a possibility then it will be worth her fussing. Warn your doctor so that they will be ready to do the injection as soon as you walk in the room. Sit her on your lap, hug her close to you and hold her arm firmly. The fear is bigger than the pain! Good luck.

Answer 8

First of all the doctor sounds a little harse. Reassure her that it will be okay and only last a second or two, tell her you will be there holding her and whisper into her ear about how brave she is being. Then promise her a big Mum and daughter treat for afterwards, like icecream in a cafe or shopping for a new toy all for her.

Answer 9

Hi
Go to the chemist, there's a topical anesthetic you can buy over the counter. Rub in on her arm about 20 minutes before the injection and she won't feel it go in. I haved used it for my 3 year old and it's great. Can't think of the name but your chemist will know. Tell your daughter it will stop the pain, the only thing she will feel slightly is the actual immunisation going in and not the needle.

Answer 10

Tell her that she shouldn't fear it. She's upset at the thought of it, not the actual needle. Tell her to think about the needle itself. The point, and the stuff inside, and it going into her muscle, and how that would make her not get flu. And call it a shot, not a jab.

Also do deep breathing before the shot. I did that before a tooth pulling, and I almost went to sleep as they pulled it out.

Tell her I feel for her, and wish her well.