Immunization Pain Management (clinician focus)
Immunizations are common recurring health-related procedures. For most people, these procedures can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety, which can lead to long-term non-adherence with recommended health care interventions and missed immunizations – but health care providers such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists can help.
Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) developed by the Help ELiminate Pain in KIDS (HELPinKIDS) team at the University of Toronto provide guidance for health care providers to help mitigate pain during immunizations.
Guides
Recommendations for reducing vaccine pain in adults
Needle fear: When it gets in the way
Needle-related fainting: Why does it happen? What to do about it?
How to apply topical anesthetics: Information for staff
The 5 P's of Pain Management during Vaccine Injections
(PDF: 157 KB)
A Clinician's Guide: Children 3 years and under
These are scientifically proven ways of reducing pain in children during vaccination. Talk with parents and plan ahead to make the next vaccination less painful.
Reducing pain during vaccine injections: clinical practice guideline
Taddio A et al., CMAJ, 2015
Webinar
Reducing Pain and Fear: Integrating Evidence into Routine Immunization Practice
Speaker: Dr. Anna Taddio
Date: 11 June 2015
Presented by: Public Health Physicians of Canada and Immunize Canada
Additional Resources
- HELPinKids&Adults – CARD. Preparing for vaccinations at school: A guide for school staff.
- Immunize Canada. Reduce the Pain of Vaccination in Children Under 3 Years: A Guide for Parents.
- Immunize Canada. Reduce the Pain of Vaccination in Kids and Teens: A Guide for Parents.
- Canadian Pain Coalition: November 2016 Newsletter focusing on adult immunization