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 explained to my little boy what was going to happen the night before. Then talked about it again in the morning, we planned a trip to the park afterwards as a treat.

I have spoken to my son about how the vaccination helps to fight off the bad guys that can make you feel really rubbishy. We also take in a "Where's Wally?" book as a distraction.

Honesty is the best policy!
I think it is best to explain things in a child friendly way, and explain what is going to happen, otherwise the child could become very frightened!

Our five year old DS had his flu vaccination at school two weeks ago, as it was in the form of a nasal spray we didn't feel there was any need to say alot about it to him as it would have just caused anxiety for him when there was no need. He didn't even mention it to me so it was no big deal to him.

I don't think there's any reason to make such a big deal out of it!!

I would say in advance, but wouldn't have it done at all

I would tell my daughter but not make a big deal out of it. Then I would take her someway fun like the farm etc. I would make a big deal out of the trip and hardly talk about the vaccination xx

i would always warn them in advance but tell them that if they are brave i would reward them with a gift afterwards x

I definitely prepare my daughter for her vaccinations. We talk about why they are important and try to make it a 'positive' thing.

If you keep calm they will too. Just explain that some people are better off having this to make them feel better, it's not a jab and you won't feel anything.

Tell them in advance, so no nasty surprises! We explain that it will help to keep them well, and then a treat is scheduled in for afterwards! :)

Let them know that nobody is going to do anything without their agreement, as a perceived betrayal at that age can be devastating for a child and parents. Then explain the procedure and let them know you will be there with them all the time

I have always been very open with my children about what they are having done at the dr's and I have to say - they have been extremely robust and happily had jabs etc

The advert on the TV about flu vaccine helped. My daughter wasn't scared at all. She said that little boy didn't cry so it didn't hurt :)

Just explain it briefly - we told H it was a special spray to stop her being sick - she didnt really like it but we were no nonsense and after gave her a sticker which said I am brave which she couldnt wait to show her teacher

Im a firm believer in eradicating any prolonged anxiety, not to tell them until you have to and play it down explaining the necessities and explaining its not a big deal, the bigger deal it it for you the bigger deal it will be for them.

I explained to my little boy how nasty flu is and then simplified the procedure as best I could and explained it would make sure medicine reached every part of his body from his nose to his toes to stop him from ever getting it! He was terrified it was going to be a needle so when I explained it was a quick puff up his nose this instantly felt less overwhelming to him anyway.

I’m not sure about anyone else’s children but my 3 were/are just relieved when they get the nasal spray that it isn’t an injection. I would probably tell them on the day it was happening so that they were prepared but I wouldn’t treat them to anything for having it done. It’s just a puff of air up the nose!!

I never make a big deal of it really because I think that would make him worse. I just give a quick explanation and let him know that it's painless and good for him and he goes along with it without any fuss fortunately!

We went with as little prep as possible, I didn't want them to worry about it, so when we got there, I sat them on my lap, told them whats going to happen then asked if they would like to go and buy a cupcake or doughnut afterwards. Quick and easy, just a little bit of bribery and distraction.

I didn't tell me daughter Ava until she was there, and treated her to a cake and hot choc in costa afterwards

DS has seen me use nasal sprays/ inhalers and I tell him it's for giving my bogies a shower to keep them clean. He laughs at this as bogies to him are a source of humour, so when it came to flu vaccination sniff he took it in his stride. "The nurse just cleaned my bogies!" he said afterwards laughing.

I find talking about it too much in advance can build the apprehension. Mention it briefly, basically brushing it past as 'no big deal'. Plan a treat for afterwards but promote that in advance, gives them something to focus on.

I know my 5yr old would have a massive crying fit if anyone went near her with the spray so both last year and this year I had both the 5yr old and 7yr old's nasal sprays done at the doctors along with my flu injection.
I explained it to them both first and they were at ease (still crying but not all out screaming!) because I was with them and they could see that I was getting a vaccine too.