I’ve always had a love hate relationship with vaccines. Those of you who are my age will remember standing in line and being given a sugar cube saturated with the polio vaccine. I loved that experience. Then there was the line I hated! Yep, we stood in line a second time and had another polio vaccine. Only this time the nurse used an air gun to inject the vaccine in our arm. I hated that one.
While vaccines protect you from many viral infections, on rare occasions they can cause significant problems. In the early years of my practice, the Pertussis vaccine caused high fevers and scared parents. That vaccine is no longer used, and its replacement rarely causes problems of significance. In fact, I have not seen a significant vaccine reaction in 30 years.
Even though I’ve not seen vaccine related problems, I’m still cautious with new vaccines. Those of you who came to my office for a flu shot always signed an informed consent form prior to receiving your shot. The flu shot is reformulated yearly. While I have given the same tetanus vaccine for 30 years and know exactly what it is going to do, the flu vaccine is new every year and therefore does not have a track record.
When new vaccines arrived, I always waited 6 – 12 months before administering them. I wanted to see how the general population did on the particular vaccine. Sometimes a vaccine looks good in the research stages but when given to millions doesn’t look so hot. When we are lucky enough to have a Covid-19 vaccine, I won’t wait! I’ll be the first in line. Sure, I’ll be a little apprehensive, but I’ll trust the researchers and get vaccinated. If there are side effects, I’ll deal with them.
While I’m no longer afraid of needles, a sugar cube sure would be a sweeter option. I’ll also recommend that my readers get vaccinated as well. Remember my favorite blessing? May you be so blessed as to never know the disease you prevented.
Until we have a vaccine, wear a mask, wash your hands, keep your distance from others and try not to go crazy. Exercise as much as possible. Rather than doing bench presses, I’m doing 20 repetitions of refrigerator door openings and closings 4 times a day. It’s a very rewarding exercise! I’m also doing sprints at least 4 times a day. Unfortunately, Renee is faster than I am, and I rarely catch her (I get a bonus cardiac workout when I catch her)!
Here’s today’s music and a joke.
“The doctor said he would have me on my feet in two weeks.”
“And did he?”
“Yes, I had to sell the car to pay the bill.”
