A member asked:
Is it painful to get a vaccination?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Douglas Tzanetosanswered
Allergy and Immunology 21 years experience
Yes: (but only a little). Often a child's reaction is a function more of a parent's reaction rather than the actual amount of pain from the shot. Distraction can help rather than overemphasis on the shot that just occurred. Some studies in infants have actually shown that giving a small amount of sugary solution (from a dropper or syringe) just before the shot can diminish the perceived pain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Nguyen Nguyen commented
Pediatrics 52 years experience
I have been using the "cold distraction method" that works well too: I rub some hand sanitizer on the child's forearm, have him/her and the parent blow on it to get it cold while I give the shot somewhere else. Older kids say it helps, some young infants (4 month old) don't even cry with the shot! (Some, not all):)
Jul 22, 2014
Dr. Boyan Hadjievanswered
Internal Medicine 23 years experience
Yes: I completely agree with dr. Tzanetos opinion. I couldn't have said it better myself. The vaccination is so quick, that the child (or adult), doesn't have time to respond. So it really feels like a "little pinch".
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
No: No, it is only slightly painful to get a shot. Oral vaccinations (baby swallows it) such as the rotavirus vaccine do not cause any pain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Yash Khannaanswered
Family Medicine 59 years experience
Little pain: It is an injection and you may feel some pain but it is not too bad
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 42-year-old member asked:
Is getting a vaccination painful?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
No, not really: Every day, hundreds of thousands of people get vaccinations to protect themselves and their family and community members from dreaded diseases such as measles, whooping cough, pneumonia, meningitis, etc... Oral and nasal spray vaccines have no pain at all. Shots have a tiny bit of pain for a few seconds.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 22, 2019
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