30 September 2026 · The Pharmacist
Guideline recommends measures to reduce distress during vaccination
People receiving vaccinations should be offered targeted interventions to reduce fear and injection pain, according to an updated clinical guideline published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The updated guidance provides recommendations intended to support individuals across all age groups, explicitly covering infants, children, and adult patients undergoing immunisation.
The publication updates earlier clinical guidance that was originally released in 2015 by the Help Eliminate Pain in Kids and Adults team. Under the revised recommendations, clinicians and immunisers are encouraged to provide evidence-based pain management and coping options during the vaccination process. Key approaches noted in the guidance include the use of patient comfort techniques, active distraction strategies during needle insertion, and the provision of topical numbing treatments to alleviate injection site pain.
Because the source summary reports on high-level recommendations from the Canadian Medical Association Journal, it does not specify detailed operational pathways or specific pharmaceutical formulations for UK practice. However, it confirms an ongoing clinical emphasis on mitigating procedural distress and needle-related anxiety to improve overall patient experiences during clinical consultations.
For UK vaccination clinics and community pharmacies, the guidance indicates that reviewing injection protocols to include simple comfort measures and distraction options may help reduce patient hesitation and improve service delivery.