Efficacy of topical lidocaine‐prilocaine (EMLA®) for management of infant pain during pneumococcal vaccination: A randomized controlled trial

Few studies have evaluated whether topical anesthetic cream reduces pain during pneumococcal vaccination. This is crucial, since effective pain management should be evidence‐based. Previous studies have shown that topical lidocaine‐prilocaine (EMLA®) reduces vaccination‐related pain, measured using pain‐rating instruments and observation of crying time. This intervention study aimed to compare the efficacy of topical lidocaine‐prilocaine cream with that of the standard of care on the expression of pain during the first pneumococcal vaccination administered at age 3 months under the Swedish national vaccination program. A randomized controlled trial included 72 infants receiving their first pneumococcal vaccination (Prevenar 13®). The study showed that topical lidocaine‐prilocaine before pneumococcal vaccination significantly reduced infants’ expression of pain according to the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) score (P = .006) and increased latency to cry (P = .001). There were no statistically significant differences in the total crying time (P = .146) between the groups. Topical lidocaine‐prilocaine cream reduced pain expression and increased latency to cry in infants receiving their first pneumococcal vaccine. Systematic efforts are needed to successfully implement the use of topical anesthetic cream and other effective non‐pharmacological pain‐relieving strategies during infant vaccination procedures. This intervention study aimed to compare the efficacy of topical lidocaine‐prilocaine cream (EMLA®) to the standard of care for the first pneumococcal vaccination administered at the age of 3 months. Topical lidocaine‐prilocaine cream for pneumococcal vaccination significantly reduced infants' expression of pain according to FLACC and latency to cry. Topical anesthetic cream and other effective non‐pharmacological pain‐relieving strategies during infant vaccination procedures are needed.