For patients and families

Needle anxiety

Are you or your child feeling anxious about getting a vaccine?

Needle anxiety is common in the community. There are many strategies for you and your child to be aware of and practice before their next immunisation.

Please see the following recommended resources:

• My immunisation comfort plan: A plan designed to provide simple ways to help you take control, choose what works for you and make things more comfortable when getting immunised!
• My intransal immunisation comfort plan: A plan specific to supporting the intranasal flu immunisation.
• Immunisation comfort for babies: a tool to optimise immunisation experiences for babies.
• Immunisation comfort for young children: a tool to optimise immunisation experiences for young children.
• Keeping Kids in No Distress (KKIND) at PCH
• Social story: getting an immunisation at PCH
• Social story: I need the nasal flu immunisation
• Flip book: I need the nasal flu immunisation
• Hack The Vax: A plan and strategies for making immunisations more comfortable
• Meg Foundation: Procedural pain resources and comfort positioning posters
• ImaginAction Audio Guides: Using audio guides and your imagination to create calm during procedures and pokes
• Epic Foundation: Tips and tricks for kids with a fear of needles
• Numbing cream (Emla Cream): You can speak to your local pharmacist, see the video link of where to put it and how to use it