Please Explain Vaccines to Me

Shots, injections, needles, and vaccines-whatever their purpose, they all hurt. More than half of children in the 6–17-year-old range report a strong fear of needles. Nearly 25% of adults do as well. This book is for those families who cringe at the thought of getting one. For some children, getting a shot is a major ordeal. Ramped-up anxiety can lead to tantrums, meltdowns, outbursts and even fainting. That 30-second experience can be a nightmare for parents for and nursing staff alike. This resource will help to improve that dreaded scenario. The book opens with an engaging story for children where rhyme, colorful illustrations and characters of diversity capture a child's interest as they identify with a girl who has similar fears. The children's section is followed by a comprehensive guide for parents and caregivers, based on empirical research as well as Dr. Zelinger's decades of experience as a child psychologist, where she offers information and explicit solutions to help deal with the anxiety surrounding this common medical procedure. Children will: Identify with the main character and her fear of shots Enjoy the colorful illustrations and happy story ending Learn coping mechanisms to deal with frightening situations Feel supported by their parents who will know how to help Reduce their anxiety and become more cooperative during medical visits Parents/Caregivers will: Understand the reasoning behind the fear of injections Learn strategies to help their child before and during a medical visit Be better able to comfort their child "Dr. Laurie Zelinger has done it again with another excellent child and parent-friendly book that helps to allay fears and empower families and professionals with the tools to help children develop healthy coping skills. “Please Explain Vaccines to Me” has it all: a relatable and simple yet engaging text in rhyme that is fun to read aloud, as well as colorful illustrations that provide an honest and relatable depiction of the emotions involved.