Flu season is here, and so are a number of free and low-cost clinics offering vaccines.

The vaccine is critical for school-age children who are especially vulnerable when it comes to catching and spreading the flu, said Anthony Russell, a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento.

Lots of kids, however, don’t like shots. So Russell offered tips for parents dealing with needle anxiety:

Before arriving at the clinic, prepare your children by telling them exactly what is going to happen. If your children are healthy and do not have asthma, you can ask if they want a shot or the nasal spray influenza vaccine.