Skip to main content
Mayo Clinic Health System
  • Patient Online Services
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Adams
      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Janesville
      • Kenyon
      • Lake City
      • Le Sueur
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • New Richland
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah
      • Lake Mills

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    • COVID-19
    • Influenza

    Recent Posts

    • Person feeling sick, drinking beverage, holding tissue
      Speaking of Health
      What should you do if you have COVID-19 or flu?
      January 30, 2023
    • People playing Jenga
      Speaking of Health
      Preserving pandemic positives
      January 27, 2023
    • Person outdoors in the cold wearing hat, hoodie and facemask
      Speaking of Health
      Is the extreme cold bad for your lungs?
      January 27, 2023
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Tuesday, March 2, 2021

    Don't let fear of needles interfere with vaccinations

    Topics in this Post
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Family Medicine
    • COVID-19
    Child receiving vaccination in arm

    All vaccinations have two things in common:

    1. They protect us from diseases and illnesses, including measles, polio, influenza and now, COVID-19.
    2. Virtually all of them involve a needle.

    For many who fear needles, that fear can interfere with getting the vaccinations that can protect their health. If this sounds like you, you're not alone. Anyone can be afraid of needles, or their reaction to the vaccine, regardless of age, gender or body type. Fear of needles often starts with one bad experience as a child, teen or adult. Maybe the injection hurt, you felt faint afterward or the circumstances were frightening.

    That's where a discussion with your child's care team or your own can make the experience more positive. Let them know that you or your child is anxious about needles or vaccinations and work out a coping plan. If your child is old enough, include him or her in deciding what would reduce that anxiety.

    There's not one way that's right for everyone. Here are some evidence-based techniques that work:

    • Distraction
      During the vaccination, there's no rule against your child playing with a toy, watching a video on your phone or for you to give a friend a quick call. Or try playing I Spy with your surroundings, telling whoever is giving the injection a story about your day or singing a song to yourself.
    • Relaxation
      Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Suggest kids pretend they're blowing bubbles. Even looking away, wiggling your toes or squeezing a ball can help you relax. Hold your child on your lap or in a comfort position, which the care provider can demonstrate. Breastfeeding babies for a couple of minutes before and during the poke is a safe and effective way to calm them.
    • Pain relief
      Relaxing the area where you'll be getting the injection can reduce pain. Coach your child to make their arm wiggly, like gelatin. Your care team also can offer pain relievers, including vibrating ice packs, cooling sprays and numbing creams.

    Afterward, praise your child for a specific accomplishment, such as sitting still or doing a good job at relaxing.

    Once you've found a technique or combination that works for you or your child, stick with it, and be sure your care team is aware of your preferences. It will set you and your child on a more positive path to receiving a lifetime of health care with less anxiety and a good attitude.

    Jessica Wadium is a child life specialist in La Crosse, Wisconsin.



    For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
    Topics in this Post
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Family Medicine
    • COVID-19

    Related Posts

    Kim Harter and family Receiving care for COVID-19 while pregnant
    Sitting up in bed blowing nose Get your flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine at the same time
    Daughter touching mother's pregnant belly What studies show about pregnancy, COVID-19 vaccines

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Home
    © 2018 - 2023 Mayo Clinic Health System