Parents turn to special clinic with happy gas for needle-phobic kids

Parents of needle-phobic kids are so intent on their kids getting the Covid jab they are seeking help at a specialised clinic where laughing gas and tablet sedation are used.

SEVERELY needle-phobic kids are being given laughing gas or sedation tablets at a specialised clinic so they can get theprotection of a Covid vaccine.

Queensland Children’s Hospital’s Specialist Immunisation Service reports a spike in numbers since the Covid vaccination rollout included teenagers aged 12 to 15 with many having to wait months for a consultation.

Dr Sophie Wen, the medical lead at the service, told The Courier-Mail that teenagers are the most needle phobic in the Queensland population. Hospital research shows that 20 per cent of children and adults have some form of needle fear.

“We have seen increased referrals and we do all we can to get the children that come to us protected. Techniques for older children will include wall or video distractions and topical anaesthetics.

“For those who are too fearful to go ahead with the needle we consider laughing gas or oral sedation but only as a last resort.

“In very extreme cases we may have to consider general anaesthetic but that is not the best scenario as we don’t want children having two generals within a few weeks of each other which would be required for the Covid vaccine,” Dr Wen said.

Zarah Teasdale has a morbid fear of needles and is on the waiting list for an appointment at the QCH clinic. Pic: Jamie Hanson

The service has seen dozens of kids treated or on a list to be treated since the over 12s Covid vaccine rollout started in August — many more than the whole of 2019 before Covid.

Vaccine phobia can cause anxiety, a racing heart, nausea, chest pain and even passing out.

This week experts at the Queensland Children’s Hospital met to prepare plans for clinicians who will have to vaccinate children aged five to 11 in coming months.

For this age group medics would use distraction tools like the Buzzy Bee, a small vibrating bee that helps block pain, fidget toys or image finders.

A study published in the journal Vaccine found that a similar immunisation clinic in Melbourne successfully administered vaccines 95 per cent of the time after giving the patients a combination of nitrous oxide and midazola.

As the state’s largest vaccination blitz kicks off today with pop up clinics at 100 high schools, new research shows that at its peak, the Pfizer vaccine is 90 per cent effective at preventing infection in children aged 12 to 18. The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Zarah Teasdale is 14 and has full blown needle phobia. She is on the waiting list for an appointment at the QCH clinic.

“All my family are vaccinated against Covid and I’m scared that I will be the one that will get ill from the virus when the borders open. I watched the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on television warning that there was less than two weeks left to get the vaccine. It made be worried as I really want the vaccine but haven’t been able to,” the Mango Hill teen said.

Zarah has gone to two different vaccine hubs in an effort to get vaccinated but was unable to overcome her fears.

“I don’t know what comes over me. I just kind of switch off and logical thoughts just disappear. I feel disappointed I have to wait so long to get into the immunisation service for help but it shows I am now the only person who is scared and needs help,” she said.