New LHSC vaccination clinic takes sting out of shots for kids

Not pleasant for some kids, with lots of crying and anxiety, getting a shot of vaccine is about to become easier for them in London.

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Ask four-year-old Isla Gerster what she looks forward to when she goes to the doctor, and she gets straight to the point: “Nothing,” she said.

But add a bubble gun and a “magic cream” that makes the vaccination needle hurt less, and her anxiety eases.

Afraid of needles, Isla keeps up with her childhood vaccination schedule at London Health Sciences Centre’s new pediatric vaccination clinic.

Located at Children’s Hospital, the colorful space, filled with toys, is the first of its kind in Ontario and has served more than 300 children since last fall, a patient volume expected to double within the next year.

The clinic began as a pilot project during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and recently received provincial funding to include all OHIP-approved vaccines, allowing it to become a permanent clinic.

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“Our goal is to work with each child and their family to come up with a game plan that will allow that child to successfully receive their vaccine on their own terms,” Leah Ethier, a nurse practitioner at Children’s Hospital, said during a tour of the clinic Tuesday.

The clinic serves babies as young as six months old, and children and young people with special needs such as autism, mental health issues or vaccine anxiety up to age 18.

Staff use sucrose to calm babies, numbing cream to reduce needle discomfort and tools such as games and virtual reality to distract young patients getting their shots.

Patience, no judgment and trust-building exercises are some of the other ways the clinic deals with patients, including rescheduling appointments if the youngsters want to leave.

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“A lot of people think that it’s just sitting down, looking away (from the needle) and doing it. But the truth is, some children need to watch. Removing that option actually might make them feel more afraid of what’s to happen. Because what is it that’s so bad that I can’t watch?” said Bailey Felker, a child-life specialist at the clinic.

“We want to change the perception that the hospital is a scary place,” she said.

Parents excited about the clinic as an option should check first to see if their children meet its patient criteria.

“We would love to have the capacity to do every child,” Ethier said. “We could help family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses in the community learn the skills we use.”

Ethier said the clinic’s success rate is 92 per cent, meaning a vaccination is administered without needing a second visit.

Aubrey Keck said going to the clinic makes her a lot calm about getting vaccinated, rather than getting poked in front of others at school.

“I’d rather come here (to the clinic). I don’t like to be made fun of if I’m scared. Coming here gives me some space,” the 12-year-old said.

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