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Tips for Caregivers for Vaccination Day
Age 12+ Consumers- VMRC In Office Vaccination Clinic - Modesto
What to Expect at the VMRC Vaccination Clinic:
· Upon arrival you will be asked to check-in and if those getting the vaccine have pre-registered. Please make sure to pre-register using the link below:
· You will be asked to provide the first and last name of those who will be getting the vaccine, identification, proof of age, and possibly insurance or Medi-Cal information.
· If you have not completed a consent form you will be asked to complete the form before being directed to the next station. Not having the consent form can increase your wait time.
· You will be provided with a CDC Vaccination Card, for the first dose. For the second, dose, you will be asked to show the CDC Vaccination Card. This will be given back to you for your records.
· Once check-in is complete, including providing/completing the consent form, you will wait for an available Pharmacist to administer the vaccine. The wait may take 5-10 minutes depending on your appointment time.
· When it is your turn, a Pharmacist will take your vaccination consent form and CDC Vaccination Card.
· The Pharmacist will retain your vaccination consent form and give back the CDC Vaccination Card for your records.
· If there are multiple individuals in your party getting the vaccine, you will be asked who wants to be first.
· If there are multiple consumers getting the vaccine, we ask that you identify any consumer that has had history of behavioral issues during medical procedures, or may be less receptive to vaccine administration, so the vaccine can be administered to them first.
o Note: It may be beneficial to schedule separate appointments for these consumers with a reduced number of individuals in the party.
· The Pharmacist will have the consumer sit on a chair. They will have the vaccination needle, bandage, and cotton swab with alcohol for sterilizing the injection site.
· The Pharmacist will ask in which arm the consumer would like the vaccine and ask them to roll their sleeve up, if necessary.
· The Pharmacist will sterilize the area with the swab, place a bandage, and administer the vaccine.
· Once the vaccine is administered, you will be directed to sit in the waiting area and asked to wait 15 minutes to confirm there are no adverse reactions to the vaccine.
o Note: The Pharmacist may ask you to wait up to 30 minutes, depending on medical history.
· For First Dose administration a VMRC Staff or Community Volunteer will assist you with scheduling your second dose during the waiting period.
How to prepare for Vaccination Day:
· Preregister for the vaccine clinic and complete a vaccination consent form
· Plan to have the consumer dressed in clothing that makes vaccine administration quicker and easier.
o Examples: Tank top where sleeve doesn’t have to be rolled up or t-shirt that can be quickly rolled up prior to administration.
o Note: Sweaters, zip up hoodies, and long sleeves make administration more difficult and could lengthen the process.
· If the consumer benefits from social stories, please create and use a social story the days leading up to Vaccination Day.
· Bring preferred items to the vaccine clinic to aide in distracting/redirecting attention away from needle during vaccine administration.
o Examples: Favorite videos/movies on tablet device, headphones, toys, or manipulative items that can be held in hands (ex: play-doh, fidget spinners, sticker books), favorite snack or treat that can be opened and consumed during vaccine administration.
· Bring activities to occupy time during waiting periods.
· If the consumer is known to have issues with compliance during medical appointments, or you suspect potential non-compliance during administration, it will be beneficial to have an additional family member or familiar individual present to assist with prompting and redirecting.
· If the consumer can tolerate outings of longer durations, plan a preferred destination for after successful vaccine administration.
o Examples: Favorite drive-thru restaurant, ice cream parlor, park, store, etc.
Vaccination Day Considerations:
· Have completed vaccination consent form with you and easily accessible (THIS WILL REDUCE YOUR WAIT TIME ONCE YOU ARRIVE TO THE VACCINE CLINIC).
· Have consumer’s preferred items loaded in vehicle prior to leaving for appointment.
· Have activities available to engage with during wait times while at the clinic.
· Have all necessary documents easily accessible upon arrival (e.g., Identification Cards, Insurance Cards, Social Security Numbers, completed vaccination consent form, CDC Vaccination Card if second dose).
· If you are planning a special/preferred outing after successful vaccine administration, and the consumer can tolerate delays, let them know where you will be going after the vaccine clinic.
· Have consumer dressed in tank top or t-shirt. If wearing a sweater or long sleeve, have consumer’s shoulder easily accessible prior to check-in.
· If possible, have a preferred family member, staff, or other preferred individuals present to assist with redirecting the consumer.
· Have preferred items/activities easily accessible to use as a distraction during vaccine administration.
o As the Pharmacist approaches to administer the vaccine, prompt, and direct attention away from the needle and toward the preferred item or activity.
· Provide verbal praise, attention, and reassurance before, during, and after the vaccination process.
¨ Reminder: VMRC Staff, Community Volunteers, and Pharmacists administering the vaccine cannot physically redirect, physically prompt, or physically restrain the consumer during the vaccine administration. VMRC Staff, Community Volunteers, and Pharmacists can distract and redirect attention from the needle during that time, but any physical touch or guidance must be provided by family member and/or familiar individual who arrived with the consumer.
¨ If you have additional concerns that the consumer you are bringing to the Vaccination Clinic may engage in problem behavior during vaccine administration, or you need further guidance on how to prepare for Vaccination Day at the VMRC Vaccination Clinic, please contact VMRC Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Liz Herrera Knapp, at (209) 955-3652.
Additional Resources to Prepare for Vaccination Day:
https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/04/Tips-for-Family-Advocates.pdf
https://informingfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Vaccination-Day-Tips-for-Family-Advocates-Spanish.pdf
Liz Herrera Knapp, M.A.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
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