Dr. Red Nose’s Vaccine Companion Performance
In early summer 2022, Taiwan’s epidemic spread from winter into summer, and children’s vaccinations were underway in full swing. The vaccine companionship at National Taiwan University Hospital was an urgent mission undertaken by Dr. Red Nose: five days of performances over one week, with an estimated 4,500 children aged 5–11 receiving vaccinations. From receiving the mission to taking the stage, Dr. Red Nose had only three days to prepare. Although there was a sense of tension that made our blood pressure rise, for us, it was a wonderful Medical Clown journey filled with bittersweet memories.
Everyone Gets Moving · Medical Clown on a Mission!
Medical Clown in northern Taiwan sprang into action! Within three days, 12 Dr. Red Nose Medical Clown were assembled for a total of nine performances, with three Medical Clown at each session. The Sinyi Charity Foundation, which has long supported Dr. Red Nose, immediately sponsored the expenses upon learning of this mission, easing the pressure on Dr. Red Nose’s annual budget and allowing us to move forward with greater determination and peace of mind. From site inspections, route planning, and scenario simulations to organizing props, we carefully considered and planned for every possible situation. We hoped that our performances could ease children’s fear of injections while also relieving the emotional pressure on the medical staff at the site.
Facing Fear and Anxiety, We Give Them a Little More Love
When it comes to injections, it is not only children who feel a little afraid; we adults do too. We secretly think of ways to face it: some recite the multiplication tables, some close their eyes and pretend not to see, and some take a deep breath and hope the moment passes quickly. Young children are still learning how to bravely face their fear of needles. At the vaccine companionship site, many children came up with creative ideas to avoid their injections! Dr. Red Nose Medical Clown were both amused and exasperated, and also felt that children truly have limitless imagination and creativity.
Some children puffed out their chests, looking as though they were facing death calmly, yet their stiff bodies after the injection repeatedly revealed, “I’m so scared.” At those moments, the Medical Clown played the ukulele and softly sang, using music to relieve tension in both body and mind. Some little ones staged elaborate chase-and-run scenes in the lobby, directly expressing “I’m so scared” through an escape plan they had been preparing for a long time. The Medical Clown came forward and exchanged a little secret with one of them: “At home, I poked my arm with a toothpick, and it really hurt!” Yes! It really does hurt! So let’s bravely face this little pain together and use the Medical Clown’s special trick to forget about it.
When facing fear and anxiety, what we offer is even more love and companionship. We accept children’s feelings and emotions, empowering them to be the ones in charge of their own vaccination journey.
Let’s Have a Dance Party! Become the Medical Staff’s Stress-Relief Super Teammate
Medical Clown, there’s a child here who needs help,
Yes, received! (Whoosh~ The Medical Clown heads over immediately.)
The medical staff at National Taiwan University Hospital were important partners to Dr. Red Nose on this mission. We worked together as a great team: smooth routes and unspoken understanding through eye contact made our collaboration with the medical staff as light and fluid as a series of waltzes. Administering vaccines to hundreds, or even nearly a thousand, children in a single day was a tremendous workload for the medical staff and placed them under intense emotional strain. Dr. Red Nose used ukuleles, hand bells, and other instruments, offering a request service and starting a mini dance party on site. Through music, laughter, singing, and swaying bodies, we helped ease the medical staff’s tension after a day’s work. When we left at the end, everyone had a smile on their face, and the air felt as light and lively as if musical notes were dancing through it.
Accepting Children’s Emotions, Creating Joyful Memories Together
Whether it is a hospital ward performance, vaccine companionship, or video performance, every scene is improvised. Dr. Red Nose responds to children’s emotions in the moment and adjusts the performance content in real time according to the surroundings. The Medical Clown are able to perform across disciplines thanks to their regular, rigorous training in performance and medical settings. In addition, they prepare many special tricks and props, mastering them to provide the most appropriate performance. Through interactive games, improv theater, music, and magical little props, they redirect children’s attention away from the pain and help them forget the unhappiness of getting a shot. Children who cried their eyes out after receiving their vaccines, with two tear tracks still on their faces, became curious and came closer to get a good look at the Medical Clown’s magical props and tricks before they had even dried their tears. There were light-up books, spinning bubble wands, and stickers in so many colors!
We gently cover their fear with sweet memories, engraving the wonderful experience of meeting a Medical Clown in their minds. It all comes from that red nose!
Dr. Red Nose wishes all children safety, happiness, and healthy growth
Dr. Red Nose Participating in NTU Children's Vaccine Companionship
Dr. Red Nose Is Here to Accompany You for Your Vaccination
Dr. Red Nose has many different magical props and tools, uses interactive games to shift children's attention away from fear, and embraces all their emotions
Thank You to the NTU Medical Team
Using music, singing, and laughter to relieve the medical staff’s stress!
Together, we can create a friendly healthcare environment at the hospital!
A Video Shared by a Parent
Children have both yellow cards and red noses!
Children Draw Their Impressions of Dr. Red Nose
Thank You to the Following Supporting Organizations
