55 percent said the shots hurt them more than their kids

September 5, 2002

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Baby Vaccines An Anxious Mystery to Most Parents

Thu Sep 5,12:04 PM ET

By Ross Grant

HealthScoutNews Reporter

THURSDAY, Sept. 5 (HealthScoutNews) -- While almost all parents say

they understand the need for immunizations, a new survey shows

childhood vaccines are an anxious mystery to many of them.

For instance, 80 percent of the 1,000 new parents surveyed didn't

know which shots their children needed or what the vaccines protected

against.

Moreover, most parents said they become anxious when their children

received vaccine shots, and 55 percent said the shots hurt them more

than their kids.

" I don't think we as health professionals realize how much anxiety

parents have about seeing their kids poked, " says Carolyn Montoya,

coordinator of the Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration at the

University of New Mexico.

" No one wants to hear a baby cry, and definitely no one wants to hear

their own baby cry, " she says.

With children getting 20 shots before their second birthday, the

anxiety seems warranted. However, it doesn't have to be so nerve-

racking.

The three nursing groups that conducted the summer survey -- the

American Nurses Association, the American College of Nurse

Practitioners and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse

Practitioners -- have since prepared tips to help parents cope. The

program was also funded by GlaxoKline, a major vaccine producer.

One way to make the immunization process more comfortable is for

parents to hold their toddlers during the shots. This may sound

natural, but most parents don't do it, according to the survey. While

91 percent of parents gave their children pain relievers for the

shots, only 13 percent reported they physically comforted their

children.

Parents may also want to breast-feed their children after the shot or

give them a bottle. If the children are frightened before the shot,

parents can try to distract them by making silly faces, showing them

a toy or blowing bubbles.

Perhaps most importantly, though, parents should try to stay calm

themselves when they catch sight of a needle aimed at their baby.

" Babies pick up on parents' cues. If parents can stay calm, their

babies will pick up on this, " says Montoya, former president of the

American College of Nurse Practitioners.

The other important finding in the survey showed that parents were

often confused or ignorant about the immunizations their kids need.

Of those surveyed, 83 percent said they didn't know how many shots

are given in the first two years, and more than half couldn't

identify vaccine-preventable diseases.

Although doctors and nurses generally inform patients about the

purpose of each shot, parents can take an active role by asking for

combination vaccines or to have more shots given each visit. The 11

diseases targeted by the vaccines such as diphtheria, polio ( news -

web sites), rubella and whooping cough are becoming less well-known

because vaccines are so effective, but parents shouldn't forget the

diseases still exist.

" They're big long names, so they're intimidating. But I still believe

that we shouldn't give our child medicines unless we know what we're

giving them, " Montoya says. " Another reason is that sometimes there

is an outbreak in your community, and you'll know if your baby has

been immunized. "

Dr. Deborah Wexler, executive director of the Immunization Action

Coalition, adds this: " Every parent should have a little chart

showing the vaccines and schedule of shots. "

Since most of the shots are given in the first six months, before a

child has a chance to start worrying about needles, parents should

take care to stay on schedule.

" The older they are, the more children will worry about getting a

shot, " Wexler says.

What To Do

For the immunization tip sheet, visit the American Nurses

Association. For a schedule of which shots a children and teens need

and when they should have them, visit the Immunization Action

Coalition.

September 6, 2002

In a message dated 9/6/02 2:26:26 PM GTB Daylight Time,

joanna_at_home@... writes:

<< - While almost all parents say

they understand the need for immunizations, a new survey shows

childhood vaccines are an anxious mystery to many of them.

For instance, 80 percent of the 1,000 new parents surveyed didn't

know which shots their children needed or what the vaccines protected

against. >>

They are anxious because they are uneducated.And when they do ask questions

they usually get a short,hostile response that does not address their

concerns.

September 6, 2002

In a message dated 9/6/02 2:26:26 PM GTB Daylight Time,

joanna_at_home@... writes:

<<

" No one wants to hear a baby cry, and definitely no one wants to hear

their own baby cry, " she says. >>

Boy,if that were the only thing to worry about! Why always such a big focus

on the pain aspect of the injection? I could care less about that if I felt

the shots were a benefit.

sara

September 6, 2002

In a message dated 9/6/02 2:26:26 PM GTB Daylight Time,

joanna_at_home@... writes:

<< parents can take an active role by asking for

combination vaccines or to have more shots given each visit. >>

*GASP* MORE SHOTS PER VISIT???? Yeah just roll them all into one mega vaccine

at birth.

sara

September 6, 2002

Just threw up................

Joanna

mommylovesrj wrote:http://story.news./news?