I had this conversation when DD1 had her 4 yr vax last May. Told her that everyone gets sick sometimes but there are some things that can make us really sick, so we have vaccinations. I was honest with her and told her that yes, the needle might hurt but it will only hurt for a few seconds and it was a bit like a mosquito bite. She went happily to have her vax and told me that it didn't feel as sore as a mosquito bite at all.

Both girls watched me giving myself injections last year through TTC and pregnancy so they are now pretty used to needles being a normalish thing to do. DD2 is due for her 4 yr vax next month and the two are already talking about it - DD1 saying its DD2's turn so she doesn't get really sick and DD2 treating it almost as if its a good thing that you have when you're a big girl