We want to make this visit to the doctors as comfortable as possible for your child, therefore please take note of the following:
- Child to come with bare arms (eg wearing a sleeveless top)
- We encourage children to sit on their parents lap for the vaccine (ideally a side sit, where the child has both legs to one side, and the parent wraps both arms around the child’s in a comforting hug. See “Comfort positioning” pictures, courtesy of the Meg Foundation)
- Once it is your turn, we will aim to spend no more than 5 minutes in attempting to vaccinate your child. If we have not been successful in vaccinating your child within that time (eg due to child’s distress), then we will reschedule the appointment and ask you to return another time. Long drawn-out attempts to vaccinate a child can be quite traumatic, which we wish to avoid.
- Please read and sign the consent form prior to your vaccination appointment.
- Likewise, if you have questions or concerns about the vaccine, please make a telehealth appointment with your GP to discuss this prior to the vaccine appointment. Only make a vaccine appointment once you are ready to go ahead with the vaccine. We wish to minimise the time the child is waiting, as this can increase anxiety for the child.
- Click on the following link for information about the Pfizer COVID vaccine for 5-11 yo children:
https://www.ncirs.org.au/safety-side-effects-allergies-and-doses-covid-19-pfizer-vaccine-5-11-year-olds-explained
