Nurses' Tips For Parents

Make every immunization visit count
Get the most out of each checkup. Make a list of questions to bring with you. Questions you may want to ask:

• What diseases will these immunizations prevent?
• How will my child feel after the immunization? What can I do to help my child?
• Which immunizations will my child have at the next visit?
• How can I reduce the number of immunizations my child gets each visit?

Keep track of your child's immunizations
Children have 20 or more immunizations before age 2 to prevent 11 serious and sometimes deadly diseases. Here are ways to make sure your child gets them all:

• Ask your healthcare professional to give you an immunization card for your child
• Also ask your healthcare professional to add all immunizations your child receives
• Bring the immunization card with you to every visit

Make immunizations less painful for both you and your child
According to a new study, most parents feel distress when watching their child get immunized. Here are some quick tips for a less painful immunization visit:

• Know that it's o.k. if you get anxious
• Try to stay calm for your child
• Hold and talk to your child during the immunization
• Make funny faces or use a favorite toy to distract your child
• Apply a cold cloth if the immunization site is red; apply heat if it is sore but not red
• Breastfeed your infant or give a bottle after the immunization
• Ask your healthcare professional about possible after effects from the immunization and how to minimize them
• Ask your healthcare professional about combination vaccines (immunizations that protect against two or more diseases in a single immunization), which can reduce the number of immunizations your child gets

For more information

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Log on to www.acnpweb.org/immunizations, www.napnap.org/practice, http://nursingworld.org/pressrel/2002/immuntip, or www.cdc.gov/nip
• Call the National Immunization Information Hotline at 1-800-232-2522

Related links on immunization:
Press release: Parents Speak Out About Immunizations
Immunization Fact Sheet
Immunization Nursing Network Provider Outreach Education and Resources (INNPOWER)

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