Flu Prevention

The first hour of each Thursday session is reserved for patients who need extra support for needle pokes. Please be considerate when scheduling.

Monday, 10/7/19 from 3pm to 5pm and Friday, 10/11/19 from 11am to 1pm are reserved for patients who need extra support for needle pokes. Please be considerate when scheduling.

Patients of Gresham and Happy Valley may schedule at either location.

Patients of Gresham and Happy Valley may schedule at either location.

It’s important to remember that flu vaccines serve multiple purposes. They help prevent people from getting the flu to begin with, and they also reduce the severity of disease that is caused if children get the flu despite being vaccinated. Even in seasons when the vaccine is not as good at preventing disease, it can very significantly decrease serious complications—like pneumonia and meningitis—and death from influenza. In addition, getting the flu vaccine helps to protect our whole community.

Even though influenza vaccines aren’t required by school, we still recommend them as strongly as every other childhood vaccine. They are just as important as children’s scheduled shots. They are particularly important for kids under age two and kids with chronic health problems, like asthma, as these children are more susceptible to the complications of influenza.

The flu shot cannot cause you to get the flu. Reactions are no different than any other vaccine. Most people have no reaction to the vaccine, but if a reaction occurs, it is typically mild, such as soreness at the injection site or a low grade, short-lived fever.

This year Metropolitan Pediatrics is offering flu shots for parents and caregivers! Adults who model calm and brave behavior during their own flu shot provide their child with a big dose of bravery training while also helping to protect them from the flu!

Follow the guide below for ways to model bravery for your child during your own flu shot.

1. Assess your own anxiety before pokes. Children look to their caregivers for how to respond in scary or uncertain situations. If you are feeling anxious, make sure you use the techniques below to teach your child how to be brave during a needle poke.
2. Belly Breathing. Take a few slow, deep breaths and explain to your child that this is one way to increase bravery. Ask your MP team members for a breathing ball or bubbles to model the process for younger children.
3. Brave & Honest Talk. Model bravery with true and helpful statements. If your child asks if the poke hurts, be honest. “Yes, it hurts, but just for a few seconds” or “It can be uncomfortable, but only for a little bit. Actually, the paper cut I got the other day was more uncomfortable than this.”

Use Available Supports! Ask your MP team about using the ShotBlocker® or Buzzy® Bee to reduce discomfort and show your child how these tools are used. Not only will this reassure your child that there are steps they can take to reduce distress, but also will help make the poke more comfortable for you too!