7: Year 8 Girl

A girl in Year 8 has attended for her second human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination. The day before the vaccine her Mum contacts you to inform you that she had her first vaccine six months ago but it took the nurse quite a while to administer it as she was very nervous and upset. Since then she has been undertaking hypnotherapy to help reduce her anxieties for the next two vaccines.

On the day, the girl attends with her Dad but as soon as she walks in the clinic room she is visibly upset and shaky. You ask the relevant questions, which she responds well to, but after many attempts you were unable to safely administer her second vaccination.

  • When reading the scenario, what do you feel prevented the administration of the injection taking place at this time?
  • What are the options to consider and plan both prior and for her next visit?

› Suggested answers

  • When reading the scenario, what do you feel prevented the administration of the injection taking place at this time?

No understanding of hypnotherapy level, child visibly upset on arrival and shaky, unsafe to continue for child and professional.

  • What are the options to consider and plan both prior and for her next visit?

Time to develop relationship and trust, child to choose parent or friend to support her, consider location of next meeting (non-public, etc.), consider any creams to help ease the sting of injection site.