Talking to your kids about vaccines might be a conversation you didn’t think you would need to have. But recently, parents have been talking with their kids about vaccines to tell them why they will or won’t be collecting the vaccine. As a parent, you have the liberty to say whether or not your child should collect a vaccine. But it’s important to know the facts and reasons behind each vaccine, including why it is recommended, what it does, and how a child’s health might be affected without it.
Taking the time to research and be properly informed about a vaccine is the parent’s responsibility. Checking credible sources and reading about people’s experiences is a great way to start your research. Once that is done, the next step is to decide whether or not your child will get the vaccine. Many parents use this technique to determine if their child will collect the Covid 19 vaccine before the start of the school year.
Another step parents have added is discussing the vaccines with their kids. Let’s dive deeper into the conversation, what you should think about, and how you might go about the conversation.
What to Think About Before Your Discussion
Before the discussion, prepare yourself with information from credible sources such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Start by thinking about and answering the following questions:
- What do I know about the vaccine/ How updated are you on the vaccine?
- Do I have any unanswered questions about the vaccine?
- How comfortable am I having this conversation?
It’s crucial that you have these questions answered for yourself. This way, you can feel confident in your response when you enter the discussion. Once you answer these questions, you can start thinking about what you want to address during the conversation with your child.
What to Address During Your Discussion
When talking to kids, there are some points that you want to touch on.
You can start by addressing fear or nervousness. You might be nervous, and they might not, but children can pick up any nervous signs from you. There is the fear of the unknown, and it’s okay to recognize that and be truthful. So, addressing this simple fact is a game changer. It opens the table to your kids asking you questions and feeling like you have the answers for them.
Next, you want to ensure that they feel safe. There are a lot of rumors about various vaccines, so debunk those and let them know they are safe. If they have questions about a particular vaccine or disease, do your best to answer them with factful research. If they are a little older, you can sit down and even do the research with them. This is a great way to learn together.
Afterward, you can start talking about the vaccine’s side effects. It’s important that the child knows that their arm might feel sore or they might be a little tired after the shot. In addition, also explain that they might not have any side effects at all, and if they don’t, that is okay. While you’re on this topic, let them know that the symptoms of getting the disease are far worse than any side effects of the vaccine. So, they have nothing to worry about if they experience some side effects.
Lastly, let them know that the vaccine is for their protection and the protection of others. If they get the vaccine, they are less likely to get the disease; if they do, it won’t affect them as badly. Give them an example that they will understand when it comes to protection, such as wearing a helmet while riding a bike. Then you can let them know if there were any questions that you couldn’t answer; their doctor surely can.
What Your Discussion Might Look Like
(Conversation Script to Follow)
If you don’t know how to get the conversation started, try using this script. You do not have to follow the script word for word but use it as an example. Feel free to add and remove parts as necessary.
- 1
Parent: “You are going to get ______ vaccine. Do you want to have a conversation about it? You can ask me any questions you have.”
Child (may ask): “What does the vaccine do?”
- 2
Child: “I’m scared to get a shot; it’s going to hurt me.?”
Parent: “I know you’re scared, but I am going to be right there the entire time. I was nervous when I got Parent: “I know you’re scared, but I am going to be right there the entire time. I was nervous when I got mine too, but the doctor was very gentle, and he/she will be gentle with you too. If it hurts, just hold my hand and close your eyes, and before you know it, they’ll be done. And maybe after, we can get a treat to make you feel better. I’m here for you!”
- 3
Parent: “After you get the shot, your arm might hurt a little bit, and you might want to take a nap. If your arm hurts really bad, let me know, and don’t touch it.”
- 4
Child: “Do I really have to do this?”
Parent: “I think it would be great if you get your vaccination, and guess why? It protects you and other people around you from all the yucky germs that would make you sick so that you can play with your friends. So, this is a good option to avoid that.”
Of course, there are various ways the conversation can go. Depending on the age of the child, they might ask for more or less information, and the questions will vary. Just remember, to be honest, let them know how you feel about the situation, and make the most out of the experience.
Resources
UNICEF: How to talk to your children about Covid-19 vaccines
Mayo Clinic: Talking to Your Kids About Vaccines
Health Cleveland Clinic: How to Talk to Your Kids About Getting Vaccinated
PBS: How to Talk To Your Child About Vaccines
Hackensack Meridian Health: How to talk to your kids about getting the Covid-19 Vaccine
Medical Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health-related topics. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult your health care provider and seek professional medical treatment. Some of the information and content in this blog has linked materials. The links should and are not intended to be construed as medical advice and should not be supplemented as medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, locate emergency services or dial 911.
