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Comfort Menu May Reduce Pain During Vaccination
Vaccine; ePub 2018 May 24; Henninger, Kuntz, et al
A “comfort menu” may improve the vaccination experience of youth and increase the likelihood of adherence with future vaccinations, according to a recent study. However, only 20% of parents in the study reported that their provider offered the menu during the vaccination visit. Researchers conducted a 3-month pilot study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a vaccination comfort menu within 2 Kaiser Permanente Northwest pediatric clinics. The menu offered a variety of comfort items (eg, cold packs, squeeze balls) that children could select prior to their vaccination. Researchers found:
- Response rate for the parent survey was 33% (378/1,136).
- Only 20% of the parents reported that their provider offered the comfort menu during the vaccination visit.
- Approximately 50% of the adolescents who were offered the menu selected a comfort item and most of these participants reported that the item was very (35%) or somewhat (38%) helpful in improving their vaccination experience.
- Per provider interviews, common barriers to implementing the intervention included lack of time and convenience, and the brevity of the pilot period.
Henninger ML, Kuntz JL, Firemark AJ, Varga AM, Bok K, Naleway AL. Feasibility of a pilot intervention to reduce pain and syncope during adolescent vaccination. [Published online ahead of print May 24, 2018]. Vaccine. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.05.070.
Many adolescents dread receiving vaccines, so providing some options to improve comfort during vaccination is a laudable goal. This pilot study looked at some comfort items used in 2 pediatric clinics and then surveyed parents and adolescents to see what they thought. Unfortunately, the response rate for the survey was low, and the staff offered the option only 20% of the time. The adolescents’ response was generally positive, however, and this is a promising option that should be used more widely. Staff education is essential if this is to be offered.—Sarah Rawstron, MB, BS, FAAP, FIDSA; Pediatric Residency Program Director, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, NY; Clinical Associate Professor, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, NY.