Release of Innovation Shown to Reduce Fear and Stress Coincides with National Immunization Awareness Month and Back-to-School
Washington, DC – August 23, 2023 – As families across the country prepare for the new school year, Hope for Henry Foundation, the national leader in pediatric patient experience, is offering parents and providers a free, new tool shown to ease vaccinations for children.
The non-profit today made publicly available at https://vax.hopeforhenry.org/ its vaccination program designed by hospital-based child life professionals that helps parents alleviate a child’s anxiety about getting vaccinated, from the right things to say, to the most comforting way to hold their children. For kids, Hope for Henry provides engaging, game-like materials to explain step-by-step what’s going to happen, help them feel more in control, and reward them for their accomplishments.
“Hope for Henry is making the resources we’ve developed for our nation’s children’s hospitals – that are used by professionals to help kids navigate the scariest and most painful medical procedures – available for the first time for America’s parents to help them help their kids get vaccinations with less stress and discomfort,” said Laurie Strongin, Hope for Henry Founder and CEO. “By making childhood vaccinations a more positive experience, Hope for Henry is helping a generation of children become more informed, confident, and comfortable health care consumers.”
Studies have shown that vaccination rates for children have been decreasing in recent years due to a number of factors, including fear of needles. A national survey conducted by Hope for Henry and Quadrant Strategies, a global research and strategy consultancy, found that over half of children are afraid of needles and that fear affects when and how they get vaccinated.
The Hope for Henry vaccination toolkit includes materials featuring family-friendly graphics and language highlighting when and how to talk with children of various ages about their upcoming appointments, what to bring with them, and how to alleviate a child’s anxiety best prior to and during a vaccination appointment. This program, designed by a team of child life specialists, features clear, simple explanations of each step of the vaccination process and stickers to mark patient progress.
The vaccination materials are an extension of Hope for Henry’s scientifically tested Super Rewards program that leverages behavioral economics to improve pediatric patient adherence. Since 2003, the program has helped more than 100,000 hospitalized kids confront the challenges of serious illness, adhere to their medical plans, and thrive.
For more information about the Hope for Henry Foundation, visit hopeforhenry.org.
# # #
About Hope for Henry
Hope for Henry is reinventing how hospitals care for children and their families through innovative, scientifically tested programs that improve outcomes for our nation’s sickest kids by helping them confront the challenges of serious illness, adhere to their medical plans, and thrive. Founded in 2003 and led by social innovator, patient advocate, and author Laurie Strongin, Hope for Henry is partnered with 39 of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals.
Contact:
Allen Goldberg, Calvert Communications Group, 202.368.4670, allen.goldberg@gmail.com
