Pharmacists from around the country shared tips with the Journal on how to make young children more comfortable getting shots. Here are five tips they offered:
- Don’t let young children see the needle.
- Make the inoculation as quick as safely possible.
- Use distractions and jokes to make children feel more comfortable.
- Have treats on hand to motivate children with a post-shot reward.
- Send children whose parents know they’re likely to throw a fit to a “VIP lounge” so that other children don’t get scared after seeing their reactions.
