How to make vaccinations an easy and positive experience for your kids
Public Health recently launched a campaign to help students with incomplete vaccination records get the vaccines they need to stay in school. This means many kids across Waterloo Region have upcoming vaccine appointments. Want to make their appointment an easy and positive experience? Try using the CARD system.
What is the CARD system?
The CARD system (C – Comfort, A – Ask, R – Relax, D – Distract) is a set of coping skills that can help to reduce stress, fear, and pain during a vaccine appointment. These CARDs can be used before, during or after to improve the overall experience. The system was created by Immunization Canada, University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children.
Comfort: Before your child’s appointment, help them plan ways to make themselves more comfortable. They can wear a short-sleeved shirt, so their arm is easier to access during the vaccine appointment. They can also pack a snack, drink or bring a favourite item with them.
Ask: Your child may have questions about their vaccine appointment. Give them the opportunity to ask questions about their appointment. They might want to know how the process works or if they can be somewhere private during the vaccination.
Relax: Your child can focus on things that help them relax before and during their vaccine appointment. They can take slow, deep belly breaths to help feel calm or try positive self-talk.
Distract: Some people like to be distracted during a vaccination. Your child can listen to music, read a favourite book or play a video game to help distract themselves. They could even play one of the games in the CARD system.
These methods can be customized based on your child’s needs and used in any order to make their appointment a positive experience. The CARD system has plenty of tips and tricks for both you and your child. Find them all here!
Does your child need to update their vaccines with Public Health? Report your child’s vaccines online here. If they are missing a vaccine, you can book an appointment with their primary health care provider, or book an appointment with Public Health (limited availability).