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From Gymbo to Jabs

Poor Eva and Zoe have had a horrible couple of weeks. First came shots, as you know. Zoe got her last hepatitis B and Prevnar. Eva was varicella (chicken pox) and Prevnar. Seems like these kids are constantly getting needle pokes. With the international move and slightly different vaccine components, confusing and different shot schedules and the occasional baby mix-up (Oh, that was Zoe, I mean Eva. I mean Zoe. Did you give her Eva’s shots?) they are quite immunized. I am not remotely concerned about the number of shots they’ve gotten for multiple reasons, including the fact that they are actually receiving fewer different vaccination components today than they would have, say, 20 years ago. And I like my children and I ‘d prefer to keep them, and their friends, healthy.

Enough on that. After the shots came roseola. I wasn’t sure Zoe was even going to get it but sure enough, 5 days after Eva’s rash, she spiked a temperature. This time, rather than worry, I knew what was going on. So we scheduled Christmas photos for Saturday, guessing that her rash would arrive early Sunday. (Yes, it did.)
And then there was today. Poor kids thought it was going to be a good one. Pancakes for breakfast and then we were off to Gymboree. But as soon as we’d kissed Gymbo bye-bye (and Zoe plants a proper, rather age-inappropriate kiss on that doll every week), it was off to the pediatrician. Mommy is a moron and completely forgot the flu shots when we were there two weeks ago. So we had to go back.
But here a stroke of luck hit Eva. Her doctor and I looked at each other and realized that she couldn’t get a flu shot today. After a live virus vaccine, such as varicella, you must wait several weeks before giving another shot against another virus. Just one of those “oh so careful Doctor things” you shouldn’t worry about but we like to play it safe. So while she crawled off to play with something germy and dirty (it is a doctor’s office), Zoe dropped her drawers and took it like a brave little soldier. And then her Mommy pulled up her sleeve and took Eva’s shot for her. Because her next line of defense is the people she’s around. And nothing says, “I love you,” like not giving someone influenza. Hey, just in case you were wondering what to get your family for Christmas, there’s an idea!

Dr. Lara Zibners, Dec 14, 2010

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