Share your tips on how you prepare your child for a flu vaccination with Public Health England - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EllieMumsnet]

Flu season is fast approaching, which also means flu vaccinations have arrived. Getting a flu vaccination can be a daunting experience for anyone, especially for young children, click here to find out everything you need to know about the children's flu vaccination. Public Health England (PHE) want to know your tips on how you prepare your child to get vaccinated against flu.

Here’s what PHE have to say: “The nasal spray is a quick, easy and painless way to help prevent young children catching flu. Flu can be horrible for little children, and if they get it, they can spread it around the whole family. PHE encourages all parents of children who are eligible to get their children vaccinated. ”

Do you tell them in advance or wait until they get there? Perhaps you let them take their favourite toy to school to use as a distraction? Or do you plan a treat for afterwards so they have something to look forward to?

Whatever your tips, share them on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

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I would only explain just before as children tend to overthink things and would worry before hand! A promise of a treat would probably help too!

I am lucky in that my son (age 5) takes most things in his stride. I just waited until the day, explained that morning that he would go with his friends and have a spray up his nose to stop him getting the flu and he didn't even mention it after school until I asked him! Then he got the certificate out and was proud to get it!

I warned my children in advance and had a chat about it (but not too far in advance so they didn't have too much time to worry about it) as think it is better that they are prepared and it isn't sprung on them at school. My youngest had had it with nursery before she had started school so was familiar with it and wasn't as apprehensive as my older two.

Dude - we're going to see the nurse and she's going to squirt summat up your nose so you don't get poorly!
Mummy can I have a treat afterwards?
Sorted!

I told my toddler the nurse was going to tickle his nose to help stop him from getting too poorly this winter.

I think he was a bit miffed at how quick the appointment was 😂

Mu ds is having his through school soon. We have talked about it. & explained it's to help him not get sick. We've kept it light & not made a big deal of it at all. He'll have a treat afterwards.

I like to be as honest as possible, no fuss and explain to them why it's important.

I've never told them too much. If you do then they start to worry then become apprehensive. I've always stayed matter of fact when present so that I don't transfer anxiety.

my 5yr old twins recently had theres beforehand we pretended that their favourite teddies were having a spray up there nose too and made the game lot of fun

I've always been very honest with my kids, so I tell them if they're going to have an injection or other treatment. I also always have sweets or another treat ready, that they know they can have afterwards.

Incidentally, my youngest hates the nasal spray and would much rather have a needle!

I tell them in advance so that its not made into a big deal.

my daughter was looking forward to her flu spray as she understands the importance of it. had to convince medical centre to administer it (they wanted her to wait until she was due to have it at school, 22nd November, despite her being high risk with asthma), was misadvised by receptionist. I had to argue for her to have it.

I didn't make a big deal about it. He knew it was coming up, but I think, because I was relaxed about it, it didn't seem to matter to him either. He even forgot to tell me he had had it done.

Told ds it was painless and was better than missing playing because of the flu. When he came afterwards he said it tasted of honey..which was weird.

I mentioned it a few days before to my 3 year old son, then on the day I told him what was going to happen and promised him a little treat after. He did still cry but at least he knew what was going to happen instead of it being sprung upon him. I don’t want him to be scared every time we go to the doctors so try and explain it the best way you can.

I haven't made a big deal about it - just told them that everyone is having it and it helps you to stay fit and healthy! All my children have seemed happy with this :)

We had a giggle together about how funny it was to have medicine up your nose and how it would tickle

They’ve both had it before so I tell them when it’s due and that’s it really .

I wouldn’t let them get it if they were ill

We talk about it beforehand and go for a treat afterwards. The treat gives my child something to look forward to which helps take away any nerves they have beforehand.

I would explain everything first and reassure them then if they're good I'll buy them a magazine or some sweets.

I hear mixed reports as to how effective the flu vaccine is. Also I am concerned to give my child additional medicine for an illness such as the flu

I told my son it was superhero spray to make him super strong against the nasty bugs.

I got this fab book about germs and bugs from the library. The kids were a lot more understanding about getting jabs and drops

I didn't know the specific day my son was having it so I didn't prepare him at all! However I think the school explained. He seemed to have had no problem. Afterwards I got a flu jab and I explained that I was having the same thing that he had had by nasal spray.

I've told my sons in advance when I signed them up for the school vaccination. "Luckily" with their dad having had an actual flu earlier this year, there's no reason to be scared or argue over it, if the terrible state he was in can be avoided.