Alberta Health Services
Health Information
You can ask for an interpreter if you don’t speak or read English well or use sign language. They can help you:
For interpreter services, call Health Link at 811 and press 1. Tell them the language you need.
Using numbing medicine, like a cream, gel, or patch, can help make getting a needle less painful. Your pharmacist can help you choose the right product, show you how to use it safely, and talk about possible side effects.
Put the numbing medicine on before getting your immunization. Follow the instructions on the package. If you remove the numbing medicine before seeing the nurse, use a pen to circle the numbed area so the nurse can see it easily. If your child is getting immunized at school, tell your child to let the nurse know they used numbing medicine.
Numbing medicine needs to be put on the injection site. The injection site is the area of the body where the vaccine will be given, such as the arm or leg.
The injection site for a vaccine depends on your age. Use the Babies & preschoolers and Older children & adults tabs on this page to learn about injection sites for different age groups.
The pictures here show injection sites for babies and preschoolers. They can help you and your pharmacist know where to put numbing medicine before your child’s appointment.
More vaccines may be needed than those shown below. For example, if your child has a medical condition, is 1 or more visits behind schedule, or is due for seasonal immunizations.
Seasonal vaccines include vaccines for influenza and COVID-19.
The pictures here show injection sites for older children and adults. They can help you know where to put numbing medicine before coming to an appointment.
Most vaccines are given in the shoulder muscle (intramuscular). The injection will be in 1 arm as shown in diagram A if you are getting 1 vaccine and both arms if you are getting 2 or more vaccines.
Some vaccines are given between the skin and muscle of the upper arm (subcutaneous). These are:
The injection given between the skin and muscle of the upper arm will be in 1 arm as shown in diagram B if you are getting 1 vaccine and both arms if you are getting 2 or more vaccines.
