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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Distraction always helps - I mention we are just popping in somewhere to see the nice lady/man for some quick help, then we can go and get a treat afterwards

We informed our children about this before it happened. When we went our children took a toy with them, and aftewards we let them do something fun, of their own choosing.

We talk about it generally and practice sniffing! He hates jabs so I make sure he knows it isn't a needle and that it is just like sniffing back in a big bogey. I try not to make a big deal out of it or offer any form of bribery.

I tend not to prepare too soon, as my son is quite anxious about visits to the surgery since having his preschool jabs. I told him on the day, reassured him it wasn't an injection (his main fear) and explained it was just a bit of water in his nose that would tickle. Seemed to work - the appointment went off without a hitch.

I emphasise that the nurse is going to give them some special medicine which will stop them from being really ill. The nasal spray is great as they genuinely find it funny as apparently it tickles so I just remind them that they like having it!

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?

When my daughter had her first dose, I told her straight and said it wasn't going to hurt and would be a quick tickle spray up the nose. She was absolutely fine with it. My son was a little more worried, specifically as he had just been to the same surgery with the same nurse a few weeks before for his pre-school boosters! We spoke about why it was important and how he would get to play with the toys in the surgery (he loves visiting!!) and I'd be with him at all times. Once he got in the room and saw the stickers, he was fine.

I just reassure them that it's for their health and they need it.

We told the kids that hey were going to be smelling something instead of having an injection - they were thrilled!

I told my children in advance about the flu vaccine they know it’s something they have to have we don’t make a big deal or fuss about it my children just accept it

I told my son a 2 days before, long enough for us to have a few chats about the vaccine. Not too long that he had time to stew over itand get anxious.

We talk them through in advance, explain what it is for and take them out for hot chocolate and cake afterwards.

I'd simply tell him in advance, explain what will happen & why

i would explain to my son whats involved and re assure them its absolutely fine. maybe demonstrate something similar before the day

We always talk about it beforehand. While I'm not very good with those decongestant nasal spray things myself (in order to demonstrate!) luckily my son found it a doddle, and had no issues at all! No fuss, no bother, and no nasty side effects! Sometimes, children take everything in their stride and never cease to amaze you!!

Just explain about it before hand and assure them that there is nothing to be frightened of by it and explain it is just a quick spray up the nose. I think having them done at school is a big incentive as the other kids all encourage each other with it.

DS2 Was the only one of my three children to be given the flu nasal spray vaccination and I was very matter of fact about it, so as not to worry him but to prepare him, I told him a day or so before hand what was going to happen and afterwards our plan was to go to the local shop and choose a treat for him (which happened to be a comic) All went fine in the end.

tell hem before so they are not scared

I haven't gone through this yet but I would tell them before and let them know what is involved, then answer any questions they might have. And definitely a reward afterwards of their choice!

Bribery
Plus I usually get mine at the same time, so they see me jabbed first

My children have had both the nasal spray and injection vaccines before. The nasal spray is painless and they don't mind but they freak out about a needle vaccine.
So for the nasal spray I can just say "flu jab today - but it's the nasal spray" and we go to the appointment.

we try to explain a little bit but not too much beforehand

I kept my children off school. Its black triangle still being monitored for safety and has been discontinued in the US x

My 8 year old doesn't like the nasal spray, she says it stings! I've consented for her to have it this year but I've not told her and fingers crossed she just gets on with it! Pretty sure not getting the flu is worth a stinging nose for a few seconds!

I just tell me daughter that it's just like taking her hayfever spray so she is not worried.

Keep discussions light-hearted.

I think it's important to explain to kids, even young ones, briefly that it'll help to stop them becoming very poorly.

My son had his flu spray with his dad- the nurse 'demonstrated' on daddy first to show how it tickled, which my son found highly amusing and he wasn't bothered at all by his spray.

All over and done with in seconds, no drama! (phew)