Help! I’m scared of needles and worried about my vaccinations!
Our immunisation nurses are very experienced and are used to meeting children with anxiety around vaccinations. Our team regularly administer vaccinations in schools to children of all age groups right through from reception to year 11. School is where you will routinely be offered to receive your vaccination. However, it is recognised that the school environment is not suitable for all children for a variety of different reasons.
Clinics
If you feel that you would struggle to have your vaccination in school due to your anxiety, please speak to your parent or guardian. We offer clinics that are run by our team that you and your grown up will be able to attend instead. These clinics often offer the opportunity to have 1:1 time with an immunisation nurse privately, where you can discuss your fears/worries.
Chaperones
Often these quieter environments along with the presence of a familiar adult with you, provide a more comforting environment for your vaccinations. If it helps, at some of our venues, we can arrange a meet up with one of our nurses for you to come and have a look around our clinic venue. This will enable you to familiarise yourself with the environment and ask any questions you may have.
If you would like to attend one of our clinics, please ask your parent or guardian to call us on 0300 247 0082.
What can I do to help calm myself?
- But I still feel nervous about having my vaccinations at school or a clinic
- One way to reduce anxiety is to be prepared for what will happen on the day:
- School staff will let you know what time you need to go for your vaccination and where you need to go
- When you arrive, you will be asked to confirm your name and date of birth
- The nurse will call you over, and invite you to sit down
- The nurse will ask you to confirm some detail about yourself and your parent/carer and check they have consent to vaccination you
- They will also ask you if you are well, and some health questions to make sure it is OK to vaccinate you
- They will check that you know which vaccination you are having and why
- Make sure you ask any questions, the nurse will answer any that you have
- You will need to expose the top of your arm – either one is fine, you can choose if you like
- If you are not able to do this because your shirt it too tight, talk to the nurse and they will make sure you have enough privacy
- The nurse will talk to you about how she will vaccinate you and allow time for any more questions
- When you are ready, you will be given the vaccination – it is really quick, and lots of people say they can hardly feel it
- After the vaccination the nurse will document that she has given it on her iPad, and ask you to wait 10 minutes in the room
- This is to make sure that you are fine after being vaccinated
- You can then return to class
- If you don’t feel quite right, you can let one of the team know and they will look after you
Other useful tips for preparing for you vaccination
- Make sure you have had plenty to eat and drink before your appointment, this will help you to feel well before, during and after your appointment.
- Come prepared for your vaccine by wearing short sleeves so the person vaccinating you has easy access to your upper arm
- Bring support with you. Holding the hand or hearing the voice of a family member can help calm fears and anxiety.
- Sit up straight, unless you have a history of fainting. This will help to give you a sense of control. If you feel faint or would like to lie down, let the nurse know and they may be able to find you somewhere to lie down.
- Relax your arm and let it dangle beside you to help the muscle relax. This will help reduce needlestick pain and soreness after
Helpful links for further information:
