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 explain before why it's important and how it'll happen. Then lollies afterwards :)

I almost very lucky that my son is very very good with these sorts of things. Going to the doctor, dentist , hospital etc. He always gets his nasal flu spray in school at the start of December. I tell him that it's going to happen, but I don't make a big deal out of it. And we go for a hot chocolate that day after school for a little treat! xo

I think it is important to tell them and explain what it is for.

My daughter is not brilliant at being pre-warned, she see's through all the 'fairies and magic' that her older siblings used to believe lol, being the youngest, I think it has given her a bit too much savvy! But saying that, at four, she understands that we all need a bit of help sometimes staying healthy, and I showed her with her Doc McStuffins kit what happens when she has had injections and so on, and so far I think she gets it pretty much. She'll hate it as most do, but the promise of a big ol' Peppa Pig session with Muddy Puddle pancakes will soon sort that out lol. x (Yes, I'm one of those awful mums who bribes away pain with grub!)

I explain before I take him and he understands its to stop him getting poorly

It's better to just wait until they get there, the less time to think about it the better!

Now that he is getting older, I am very honest with my son about health matters. I feel that if he knows why it is important and what to expect he won't worry so much.

Congratulations to @Carriecakes80 for winning the prize draw of a £300 voucher!

MNHQ

Explain why it is good for them and have a treat ready for when it is over