Even as Omicron cases skyrocket, the Indian government has commenced vaccination for children in the 5-18 years age group. The much-awaited announcement about vaccinating kids during this peak time is a ray of hope for many parents as well as a challenge to secure their child’s health against Covid-19. This paramount challenge will require their utmost effort to prepare their kids and themselves for the upcoming wave.
Let’s check out some of the tips and ways to prepare your kids for vaccination:
Consult Your Family Doctor
It is imperative to consult your doctor before booking a vaccination slot for your kid. This step will ensure that your child is ready to get the shot without any complications in case they are suffering from any allergies or severe illnesses.
Engage in a meaningful conversation with your child
Take out time and indulge in a conversation with your kid to know how they feel about getting vaccinated. A meaningful conversation will give your children time to prepare themselves beforehand in case they have fear of needles. Don’t silence them with statements like, ‘It’s just a needle prick,’ or needles aren’t scary. Stay calm and composed while they get ready to fight the virus.
Pay Attention to Your Child’s Sleep, Exercise, and Diet
Ahead of vaccination day, you must ensure that your child gets good sleep, eats a healthy diet, and exercises well. Paying attention to these details will be beneficial for your child as these factors play a crucial role in securing immunity levels.
Think of ways to eliminate a negative experience
A negative experience can make a bad impression on your child’s psyche. Ensure that before getting the jab, the nurses behave politely with your child in case he/she is feeling distressed or frightened. Allow your child to take out some time and develop some coping strategies.
Stay Prepared
You can do the following things to prevent your child from feeling distressed or fearsome while getting the jab:
- Allow your child to carry an item(s) that make them feel distracted. Things like a book, headphones, or any handheld game. Other stuff could include earplugs or headphones.
- Plan to reward them on successful completion of the jab.
Don’t Fret If You See Minor Side-Effects
After getting a Covid shot your child might show some side effects like fever, sore arms, or muscle pain. These are common side-effects and should not be taken as a major concern. Experiencing these side effects means that the vaccine is working so keep calm and let the immune system fight it out.
Consult your doctor before you give any medicines to your child
Avoid giving any pain killers or any kind of medicine to ease your child’s symptoms as it might affect them differently. It is mandatory to stick to using a cold-press to treat sore arms. And consult your doctor when in need.
Call For Immediate Medical Attention
In case of severe allergic reactions, shortness of breath, or if the fever does not subside after 2-3 days, you must get immediate medical attention.
Note: Only Covaxin will be administered to children.
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