Immunization Pain Management

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Immunization Pain Management Blog

York University Childhood
Chronic and Acute Pain

Researchers find that despite evidence of efficacy, topical anesthetics are not commonly used for routine immunization

The sound of a child crying is like nails on a chalkboard for most parents. Many times in their little lives children are going to go through routine medical treatments that causes pain, fear and anguish in these smallest citizens.

Immunization Pain

Immunizations are a routine medical procedure provided to children beginning at the infant stage and continuing at various times through to adolescent. Studies done all over the world have looked at the lack of pain management amongst these medical procedures and it’s effects on children throughout life into adulthood. Many studies have found that the poor management of pain during medical procedures for the youngest population have links to poor pain management and heightened sensitivity to pain in adulthood. (Taddio, Katz, Ilersich, & Koren, 1997).

One set of main contributors to the study of pain management in infants and toddlers during routine medical procedures, mostly immunizations is Bernard and Cohen (2006). Their work has observed the stress and anxiety level of children and parents during these procedures and whether or not this level of distress heightened infant’s response to pain. Their results showed that the level of anxiety felt by parents has a direct impact on the reaction to pain felt by the infants during the immunization process. (Bernard & Cohen, 2006, p. 285-290.)

For some further resources with regards to immunization schedule please go to your provinical health website.

The British Columbia Provincial Health Website: Next page

Taddio, A., Katz, J., Ilersich, A., & Koren, G. (1997). Effect of neonatal circumcision on pain response during subsequent routine vaccination. Lancet, 349 (9052), 599-603. Retrieved Sunday, January 28, 2007 from the CINAHL with Full Text Database