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Child flu vaccinations

Amberet

Hi everyone,

My 5 year old son (he’s autistic with a PDA profile) was offered a nasal flu vaccination at school, which he refused. We’ve been given another appointment for me to take him to have it done (tomorrow morning!) but I know it’s going to be a massive struggle.

I’m very pro-vacccination and am really keen for him to have it. I’ll take him to the appointment and try to make it as easy on him as possible, but I’ve already spoken to the community vaccination team and the adjustments they can (or are willing to) offer him are minimal (a quiet room, but only if it happens to be available at his appointment time).

I’m wondering if anyone has any tips? I’m also wondering what the lesser evil is if he’s finding it too difficult - abandon the vaccine and prevent him experiencing a meltdown, or push on and protect him from flu? I’m autistic too and am having trouble quantifying what’s best. 

Thanks!

Parents

  • This is probably a silly question but is he afraid of injections? I always have been and still am the worst person in the entire universe with them and I’m nearly 26. 

    I suppose you could try getting this Elma cream as I believe that is meant to numb the area for the jab. I’m not sure if the drs supply the cream but if they did it might require a double application. I don’t think the cream is too expensive to buy though and you could apply the cream yourself. I don’t know how effective the cream is though and with your son being a younger age he might not like the sensation of numbing. 

    Another thing could be to maybe ask for a dr/nurse who is kind and understanding as that can make a difference I find. Also maybe bring some toys or get him to watch some videos or listen to music maybe. Only other option is as you say to not get the jab and take the risk. To be honest I don’t think I’ve ever had a flu jab before but I’m not sure. All I know if I’ve had the MMR, polio and another two combined with polio, meningitis and of course corona. 

    I just hope one day there will be other forms of vaccination! I mean I’ve heard of like a cube that you sucked on years ago but I don’t even know if they exist now! 

    Wishing you both the best x 

Reply

  • This is probably a silly question but is he afraid of injections? I always have been and still am the worst person in the entire universe with them and I’m nearly 26. 

    I suppose you could try getting this Elma cream as I believe that is meant to numb the area for the jab. I’m not sure if the drs supply the cream but if they did it might require a double application. I don’t think the cream is too expensive to buy though and you could apply the cream yourself. I don’t know how effective the cream is though and with your son being a younger age he might not like the sensation of numbing. 

    Another thing could be to maybe ask for a dr/nurse who is kind and understanding as that can make a difference I find. Also maybe bring some toys or get him to watch some videos or listen to music maybe. Only other option is as you say to not get the jab and take the risk. To be honest I don’t think I’ve ever had a flu jab before but I’m not sure. All I know if I’ve had the MMR, polio and another two combined with polio, meningitis and of course corona. 

    I just hope one day there will be other forms of vaccination! I mean I’ve heard of like a cube that you sucked on years ago but I don’t even know if they exist now! 

    Wishing you both the best x 

Children
  • in reply to Elfilis

    Hi Elfilis, thank you for responding.

    He hasn’t had trouble with needles in the past, but luckily the flu vaccine he’ll be receiving this time is a nasal one so it’s just a quick squirt up the nose (which probably doesn’t feel very nice either to be honest!) He’s had one before, and didn’t particularly enjoy it, but didn’t find it too bad either.

    I think this is more him trying to avoid doing something he feels pressured to do, or something that’s outside his usual routine. He also refused his eye test at school. We’ll take his tablet so he can play on his games while having it, and will definitely ask for someone appropriate to give it to him. I had flu once myself about 15 years ago and it was terrible, so I don’t really want to risk him catching it. But equally don’t want to traumatise him either!

    It’s a good suggestion re buying our own emla cream - I’ll keep that in mind for his future needly ones :-)