COVID-19 Practice Guides and References

What is CARD™?

CARD™ (C - Comfort, A - Ask, R - Relax, D - Distract) is an evidence-based framework that teaches how to prepare for vaccination.

What are the benefits of CARD™?

It reduces stress-related reactions, including fear, pain, dizziness and fainting during vaccination.
It improves the vaccination experience for people receiving a vaccine and for those who support them, such as educators, parents and health care providers.
It teaches lifelong coping skills that can be used for other stressful situations.

How can YOU help?

Collaborate with all vaccination partners, such as school staff, parents and caregivers.
Reinforce learning and practice.
Remind people of vaccination day.
Support people’s choices for coping during vaccination.
Praise and celebrate people for actively participating in their health care.

For more information, see www.cardsystem.ca.

Immunize Canada, the University of Toronto (HELPinKids&Adults), and SickKids (AboutKidsHealth) have created resources to inform and equip educators, parents, and health care providers with evidence-based tools they can use to help people have a better vaccination experience at school or in a clinical setting.

Use CARD to improve your vaccination experience: QR code

CARD System handout for school-aged children: Coping with pain and fear around vaccination

CARD System activity for school-aged children: Coping with pain and fear around vaccination

CARD System poster: Coping with pain and fear around vaccination

CARD System poster for school-aged children: Coping with pain and fear around vaccination

A guide for parents and caregivers: Improving the vaccination experience

Planning checklist for health care providers: Improving the vaccination experience

A guide for health care providers: Improving the vaccination experience

Reducing pain with numbing cream for vaccination

Comfort positions: Improving the vaccination experience

Needle-related fainting: Why does it happen? What to do about it?

Video | School vaccinations: What you need to know about vaccines at school

Video | School vaccinations: The CARD System: Play your power CARD

Improving the vaccination experience: A guide for school staff

Improving the vaccination experience: Checklist for teachers

Parent video – School vaccinations: Improving the vaccination experience at school

Improving the vaccination experience for your patients: A guide for healthcare providers. HelpinKids&Adults | University of Toronto | Immunize Canada

Preparing for your COVID-19 vaccine: A guide for health care workers. HelpinKids&Adults | University of Toronto | Immunize Canada

Preparing for your COVID-19 vaccine: A guide for personal support workers. HelpinKids&Adults | University of Toronto | Immunize Canada

Caregiver Toolkit: A Caregiver’s Guide to Safeguarding School-aged Children’s Health through Vaccination. University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health; McMaster University, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

COVID-19 Vaccination information resources: Tool kit for health care providers. Public Health Agency of Canada.

Recommendations for Reducing Vaccine Pain in Adults. HELPinKids&Adults | University of Toronto | Immunize Canada.

Needle Fear: When It Gets in the Way. HELPinKids&Adults | University of Toronto | Immunize Canada.

Needle-Related Fainting: Why does it happen? What to do about it? HELPinKids&Adults | University of Toronto | Immunize Canada.