Immunisation Dress Up Party.....

That is what I got today for DS. :o Seriously??

He turned 4 in October, and although we vaccinate I am not pedantic about rushing to the GP as soon as they turn 4 or whatever age they are due, particularly if they have been sick etc. which in this case is what has happened. I know he is due, and will take him when I feel the time is right - but this was from the local council saying join us for an Immunisation Dress Up Party - Come dressed in your favourite costume and take the fear out of needles...

I dunno - seems weird to me but I guess it might work for some people as a reminder??

** This is not a debate about vaccination = we have enough of those around, but more a discussion around how they are reminding people who are late (FWIW makes me want to NOT go for a bit :rofl:)

:rofl: that's pretty strange.

Actually, it could be quite fun. I only went to a council immunisation day once but I remember waiting in line hearing all the cries made DD a bit uneasy. I guess the costume thing would give the kids something else to concentrate on. :dunno:

I'm not sure I like it, it kind of reminds of those Botox parties people are having, in the US at least. Are you sure it was from the council not your local cosmetic surgeon trying to get kids used to needles and in a party situation for when they're older :lol:

Lol not a fan. Not cos of my views on vaccination, but because I see it as something to take a bit more seriously, it also reminds me of Botox parties or something. I can also see kids who don't go to the 'party' as maybe feeling like they missed out when their friends are talking about it :dunno:

From another perspective - some kids (who may be afraid of groups, needles etc) may find the costume helpful - allowing them to feel braver or stronger...

Also, I think it is really just a marketing ploy. There's a whole heap of messages that can be found in the marketing strategy - depending on how deep you want to go with it ;)

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Are you sure it was from the council not your local cosmetic surgeon trying to get kids used to needles and in a party situation for when they're older

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:rofl: Maybe I read it wrong!!! :D

MG- Definitely is, and yep I totally get that kids get scared and worried, I take mine to a GP for that reason as it's someone familiar and you don't have to wait for ages! I just thought it was a bit weird!!

How very odd! I find the attitude to vaccinations at my local GP practice quite strange too. The nurse likes to jab the kids without them knowing what's happening or seeing the needle so they won't be scared. I can't think of anything scarier! Unless maybe she was wearing a costume which would probably freak them out slightly more :rofl:

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How very odd! I find the attitude to vaccinations at my local GP practice quite strange too. The nurse likes to jab the kids without them knowing what's happening or seeing the needle so they won't be scared. I can't think of anything scarier! Unless maybe she was wearing a costume which would probably freak them out slightly more :rofl:

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:rofl:

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How very odd! I find the attitude to vaccinations at my local GP practice quite strange too. The nurse likes to jab the kids without them knowing what's happening or seeing the needle so they won't be scared. I can't think of anything scarier! Unless maybe she was wearing a costume which would probably freak them out slightly more :rofl:

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Oh thats odd haha! Mine tell them but they also get the nurse to help so they do both at once to get it over with quickly! Still not nice either way!!

What an odd approach to increase vaccination, whatever your choice I think vaccination s fairly serious issue. Wonder what a health ethics committee would make of that!

I wonder how it works, the party fun might end each time a child comes out crying post needles, unless they kick them out the back door after ;)

We got sent a children's book, it wasn't direct enough for dd2 to make any link between the story and her needles. She went, had a chocolate frog while we waited to make sure there wasn't an immediate reaction and left no issues and she wasn't upset. The drama was bandaid removal :doh: need a party for that

They also have a clown there for the night :o Lots of kids are frightened of clowns, not sure they are on the right track :rofl:

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They also have a clown there for the night :o Lots of kids are frightened of clowns, not sure they are on the right track :rofl:

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Forget the kids, they've just lost me! :rofl: Hate clowns!

They do four year old round here like that too - I don't see an issue with it really - if you normally get them done by the council like I do - you all go and wait in a big room, until your number is called, there is a TV on, often some bubbles around - I suspect the four year old 'party' is pretty like that.

Honest question here - if you have the option of going to the council or the GP why do people opt for the GP - lots of my friends seem to opt for GP but have never really explained why - is there some sort of stigma I am missing out on about going to the council ones? - I love the free council service - the nurses are well practiced in vaccinating children (is all they do) - is far nicer than waiting in a docs waiting room etc etc.

I dont see anything wrong with it. My local council had a teddy bears picnic and was a great success. Unfortunatly DS1 was sick when it was on so we missed attending but friends said it was great.

Kids all had activities to do while waiting and after drawing, colouring snacks and a show bag to name a few.

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Honest question here - if you have the option of going to the council or the GP why do people opt for the GP - lots of my friends seem to opt for GP but have never really explained why - is there some sort of stigma I am missing out on about going to the council ones? - I love the free council service - the nurses are well practiced in vaccinating children (is all they do) - is far nicer than waiting in a docs waiting room etc etc.

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I don't know to be honest - I don't have anything against going to the council ones, but just go to the GP by default. It's usually the practice nurse who does the actual vaccination, but the Dr will pop their head in beforehand to check general health and ask if I have any questions/concerns about anything. Our GP bulk bills for kids visits, so it's not a cost thing.

I do think the idea of having a "party" to increase vaccination rates isn't such a bad idea, gives the kids something else to focus on rather than "eeeek, I have to have a needle!"

Hmmm, don't honestly know what to amke of a 'Vaccination Party'?! Do they have a big table of Cheezles and fairy bread for the kids? I might be in it if they do...

I choose to take my kids to the GP because I tried the council ones a bit like a production line when I tried them with DD1. Jab a baby... and the next... and again... I prefer the more personal service I receive from my doctor and he does do the immunisations himself. I find he has more time to answer any questions I might have, he takes his time with the kids and it's a good opportunity to discuss any concerns I might have about the kids health with him. Also, parking is easy and I can make a time which suits me! I don't have anything against the council immunisation days, it just wasn't for me.

Traveller, I would be furious if someone tried to jab my child without telling them what they were doing (assuming the child is old enough to understand, which I reckon would be about 12 months). So disrespectful of the child and would frighten the poor kid off doctor's for life! I always tell my kids why we are going to the doctor and if they ask whether it will hurt I tell them the truth ie. yes, there will be a quick sting but hopefully that quick sting will prevent you from getting a nasty illness which would feel much worse. I also tell my kids that it will sting to rip off a bandaid - if I lie, they are going to figure out pretty quickly that they can't always trust what I say!

I'd let my kid dress up as a zombie. But only do the reveal after the needle. Hilarious.

I don't like it. Just like I don't like lollipops at Dr surgeries.

I know of children who suffer every day. And would be grateful if all they had to have was their vaccinations.

Just like I don't believe kids should be bribed with sugar to eat food. Perspective. Which no one will get at a vacc party IMO.

AND the worst part. Is I don't want my kids growing up to think needles are something you get at parties o.O

But I want my son to be scared of needles. He is distracted for the vaccinations he is given so he doesn't see them. If he isn't scared of needles then what's stopping him injecting naughty drugs as an adult? (Clearly not just needle phobia stops people becoming junkies - but YKWIM). Rouge, I think we have similar ideas about this!

DS knows he is having his vaccinations and it will involve an injection. He gets to sit on my lap and talk to me and has my complete attention while it happens (even when we've already talked for 5 hours about his latest hot topic that day - thankfully he now has one I really like too) - and he doesn't really notice it.

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Honest question here - if you have the option of going to the council or the GP why do people opt for the GP - lots of my friends seem to opt for GP but have never really explained why - is there some sort of stigma I am missing out on about going to the council ones? - I love the free council service - the nurses are well practiced in vaccinating children (is all they do) - is far nicer than waiting in a docs waiting room etc etc.

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I make an appointment so we never wait long, its bulk billed, kids love playing in the waiting room kids area, they are familiar with our dr who is gorgeous, so I would much rather do that than wait for up to 40 mins like I have at council run one.

Prefer the GP as well. Started off as I wanted to avoid certain mums in my council area, stressful enough as it is without being the same room as some of them. Also at the time, due to DH's health, we were at the GP's a lot, so it was just easier and I preferred the personalised service, rather than the cattle call and stress of others pushing in.
GP has the added bonus, if the the nurse believe the child is not well enough to have the jab, then a GP is brought in to check out the child.

Thanks for the replies about the GP, I guess it depends on the GP and the council alot - was just have friends who have had to go multiple times because they didn't have the injection and then given the non-standard one, and not that complimentary about the way GP does it so I wondered what I was missing about why people go there.

I never want my kids to be scared of needles, I have to have frequent blood tests and it makes life alot easier that I have no fear of needles.

I don't want my kids to be scared of needles at all. I think there is a big difference between not liking something but knowing you have to suck it up and deal with it anyway, and being literally scared and fearful.
I want them to know that there are times that they have to have them, hopefully only rarely, but that they do hurt a wee bit, but I don't want them to fear them. I do distract them especially when younger but with DD's 4 yr old ones I was honest and said yes they hurt a bit but it's over quickly.

I also have a friend who is a diabetic who has to have a needle 4 times a day and often injects when she is here - kids have seen her to do and are quite fascinated and know she needs it or else she gets very very sick. They attribute needles to something you need to be healthy - as for "naughty" drugs, by the time they are old enough to know about them and may want to inject them as adults or teens I would imagine the conversations we will have will be extremely different to the ones I have now about needles and doctors. I don't want them to fear needles now in the hope they won't be drugs users later.

I was being pretty tongue in cheek ;) mostly ;)