HIB booster jabs - 2 part question...

[coggles]

Have many of you received letters from your G.P. asking for your children (aged 4 & under) to have a HIB booster jab? Also, I know our 8 month old will be OK to take, as she will not know what's going on 'til she has the jab (bless her!) but our (almost) 4 year old will probably freak out when she sees the needle! Any advice on how & when to tell her would be very helpful. Thank you

[Cetti]

Part2 coggles - My Mum always made a big issue of going for injections, the result being whenever I saw a needle I either fainted or was sick. With my own son I did things differently for dentist, as well as the doctor. There was no build up - on the day I would say something like 'After we've been to the dentist/doctor we'll go to the park etc - or any place that excites your little girl. The she will concentrate on the 'after' and not the 'before'. Try to make it matter-of-fact( even if you are in panic mode!)

I'm certain you will have lots of advice, but this paid off for me, especially in later years with all the bumps and bruises that come with most children. Good luck!!

[coggles]

Norman dyson, HIB is Haemophilus influenzae type B (to protect against meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia apparently) and I remember the sugar cubes - I wish it was still that easy! Cetti, thank you. I was thinking along those lines too. I just hope that our 'wised-up nearly 4 year old' won't guess what's going on 'til it's all over!

[amnesia]

I have just taken my 2 year 6month year old daughter for he booster. Although I did not make any fuss about the fact she was going to have an injection, I did try to explain in very simple terms that sometimes we need to have medicine to stop us getting poorly. We talked about it a few times and I did mention it would hurt a little bit but not as much as if she become poorly. When she had the injection she did get a little upset but a little treat and her favourite toy soon helped her forget about it. I have just asked what she thought about the injection she says "It hurt, but it will stop me being poorly" she also says that she will go and get another one. Time will only tell if this is true!!!!