If the thought of the Covid 19 vaccine brings fears, tears, and sleepless nights for your child, you are not alone. Many children fear needles but protecting them from dangerous viruses through vaccination is worth the challenge.
The novel coronavirus has put the whole world in great danger. With each passing day, the pandemic is causing fear and anxiety in people. During these difficult times, getting ourselves vaccinated can help us get ready for the war against Covid. The vaccine can reduce the risk of transmitting the virus and getting serious complications associated with it. According to WHO, a vaccine against Covid 19 is safe for adults and kids. The coronavirus vaccination has been approved for children ages 5 to 12 years in November 2021; at that time, nearly one million children in the USA have received their first dose, and that number will only grow. If you have a child who is excited to get their shots and posing for smiling post-vaccination photos, you are one of the luckiest parents. The fact is two out of three children have a fear of syringes. Yes, some kids are terrified of the covid 19 vaccine, and no amount of reasoning is going to get them on board without some heavy-duty strategizing. Parents know the fear is real, and while we all want our kids to be a bold approach to getting shots, we also know that encouraging such kids doesn’t always work.
Impact of Covid 19 on Children
We all heard a lot about the novel coronavirus and associated complications in adults. Let’s discuss the impact of Covid 19 on kids. The effect of the coronavirus can be different in children and adolescents. Symptoms can be mild in children when compared to adults. Also, some infected children do not show any symptoms. Some common symptoms of the Covid 19 in children are:
- Cold and sneezing
- Cough and sore throat
- Mild to moderate fever
- Some children experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea
- Some kids may experience loss of smell and taste
How to help your child to overcome Fear and Anxiety?
It is quite natural for children to be fearful of injections. Parents can help their children to overcome this covid 19 anxiety with the below steps:
- Discuss with your child the importance of the Covid 19 vaccination.
- As a parent, you can demonstrate to your kid that there is no pain while receiving shots.
- Accompanying comforting items during vaccination drives like a favourite video game, audio music, or a favourite book can distract your child and reduce their anxiety.
- Parents should also remain calm during their kid’s vaccination. This is important because children get more nervous when their parents get anxious about things.
- Instead of scolding or criticizing them, reassure them that it’s ok to get frightened and you are always available for them. Reassuring your little munchkins can help them to cope with the situation.
- Parents should refrain from passing a negative statement on their children during vaccination.
- It is also advisable for you to discuss your child’s fear of syringes with doctors and nurses before taking shots to help them deal with your kid for the needle fear.
- Encouraging words like “you can face it” or “you did a great job” may help motivate your child even after vaccination.
Remember, our war against covid 19 is not yet over unless our children are safe from it. Getting our kids fully vaccinated can be the biggest milestone in the fight against Covid 19.
If you are still unsure how to help your children, let your doctor or nurse know ahead of time that your child is afraid. Doctors have some tips and tricks of their own as they do all the time, after all. Get correct information on covid 19 vaccine and children to safeguard your child.
