Q: My five-year-old son is scheduled for his first COVID-19 vaccination shot and I am not looking forward to it. He is terrified of needles and I am worried about potential side effects.

In October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, serious side effects are rare in children. Children ages 5 to 11 receive a smaller dose of the vaccine and are eligible to get the second dose after three weeks.

The Family Project panel recommended you treat the vaccine just like the other childhood vaccinations your son has gotten and don’t make a big deal about it.

“At five, this is not your child’s first shot. It will take 30 seconds and then be over, and he will forget it quickly,” said panelist Chad Stefanyak.

“Children have fewer side effects. You don’t need to do a lot of preparation. Putting too much focus on it will make him more scared,” agreed panelist Joanne Raftas.

Raftas added that you need to explain to your son what kind of shot he is getting, but suggested waiting until one hour before his appointment to tell him.

“Plan something fun for after he gets his vaccine, so the whole focus is not on the shot,” said panelist Denise Continenza.

The panelists recommend having something to distract your son while he gets the shot.

“Maybe have him watch a fun video on your cell phone,” suggested Stefanyak.

“You can let him pick out a toy,” said Raftas.

“Talk about your experiences getting your own vaccine. It will be comforting that mom and dad got their shots first,” Stefanyak said.

“Both parents also should be clear about their own feelings about the vaccine,” added panelist Mike Daniels.

Plan to get him his vaccine in a place that is less public such as a medical facility rather than a pharmacy, the panel recommended.

“You can’t protect kids from the realities of life,” Continenza said.

“Look at this as an opportunity to help him learn to manage his own feelings,” Raftas said.

This week’s panel: Pam Wallace, program coordinator, Project Child, a program of Valley Youth House; Chad Stefanyak, school counselor; Denise Continenza, extension educator; Joanne T. Raftas, registered play therapist and counselor, and Mike Daniels, LCSW, Psychotherapist.

Have a question? Email: projectchild@projectchildlv.org

The Family Project is a collaboration of the Lehigh Valley Press Focus section and Valley Youth House’s Project Child.

The Times News, Inc., and affiliates (Lehigh Valley Press) do not endorse or recommend any medical products, processes, or services or provide medical advice. The views of the columnist and column do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Lehigh Valley Press. The article content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, or other qualified health-care provider, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.