Nov. 04--Flu season is here, and so are a number of free and low-cost clinics offering vaccines.
The vaccine is critical for school-age children who are especially vulnerable when it comes to catching and spreading the flu, said Anthony Russell, a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento.
Lots of kids, however, don't like shots. So Russell offered tips for parents dealing with needle anxiety:
Before arriving at the clinic, prepare your children by telling them exactly what is going to happen. If your children are healthy and do not have asthma, you can ask if they want a shot or the nasal spray influenza vaccine.
Empowering your children by giving them a choice can make the entire situation less stressful. If they opt for the shot, be honest and say it's going to hurt, perhaps like a pinch, perhaps a little more. Reassure them that everything is going to be OK. Let them know that the flu shot will help avoid them becoming sick.
Once at the clinic, reassure your children if they are scared that it's normal to be scared, and that the process will take only a few minutes. Comfort your children by saying, "I'll hold on to you," or other reassuring words. It's important to keep the muscles near the injection site relaxed. That way, the shot will hurt less.
Practice deep breathing together with your children (inhale/exhale).
Depending on your children's age, try to distract them with a toy or stuffed animal. Some babies may be distracted if you make noises they are familiar with, then make them guess what direction the sound is coming from.
For smaller kids who get the injection: Sit down and have them sit on your left knee. Then cross your legs between your kids' legs, thus blocking them from moving. Then have them place their right arm around your back and hold the arm with your right arm so it can't move. Again, speak reassuring words. (Most children who receive the nasal spray vaccine do not need to be held.)
For teenagers: Have them take their iPod or other MP3 player to the clinic so they can feel relaxed while listening to music. It's also important that teens eat before arriving at the clinic; some who are prone to needle anxiety may faint if their stomach is empty.
When it's all over, reward your child.
Here's a list of some upcoming flu shot clinics.
Offered by Health Tech Mobile Services:
-- Today, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Rusch Park Community Center, 7801 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights.
-- Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Pannell Community Center, 2450 Meadowview Road, Sacramento.
Offered by Sacramento City Unified School District:
(Those seeking inoculations should bring their immunization record.)
Clinics will be from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Fridays:
-- Friday, at Jedediah Smith Elementary School, 401 McClatchy Way, Sacramento
-- Nov. 12, at Oak Ridge Elementary School, 4501 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Sacramento.
Clinics will be by appointment at Hiram Johnson Health Center, 6879 14th Ave., on Fridays through Dec. 17. Call (916) 277-6342.
Kaiser Permanente members can call the HMO's flu hotline at (800) 573-5811 to learn the hours and locations of its flu clinics.
The El Dorado County Health Services Department has scheduled several community flu shot clinics.
The vaccine will be offered free to children ages 6 months through 18 years old. Medicare Part B will be billed for people 65 and older. Although there is a $15 fee for people ages 19 through 64, officials said no one will be turned away because of an inability to pay.
Both the flu shot and nasal flu mist will be available. Flu mist is recommended for healthy people ages 2 to 49.
Community flu shot clinics are scheduled in:
-- Grizzly Flat, Community Church, 5061 Sciaroni Road, Friday, 2 to 4 p.m.
-- Placerville, El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Organ Room, 100 Placerville Drive, 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 29.
Updated information about the clinics is available online at www.edcgov.us/publichealth or by calling the El Dorado County Flu Hotline at (530) 621-6188.
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