Pricks for protection
When it comes to vaccines, have you ever whined about a bruised arm, long lines at a clinic, a tiny blood speck on your shirt sleeve, or inconvenient opening hours at your doctor's office?
I know I'm guilty, but I encourage you to stop for a minute to ponder how fortunate we are to live during a time when vaccines exist. Or for that matter, in a country where vaccines are available to us, in many cases, even covered under health care plans.
As adults, we tend to think about vaccines when we face potential harm. Step on a rusty nail and you wonder, "When was my last tetanus shot?" You're taking a trip and realize you should get to a travel clinic early for a Hepatitis A/B needle.
Or, fall arrives, bringing seasonal influenza along for the ride.
And what a ride! The flu pulled a hit-and-run on my hubby this week. It's sobering to see what the flu can do to someone who eats well, is fit and has more get-up-and-go than the Energizer bunny. Mike hasn't left the house, aches from head to toe, has no appetite, and alternates between hot and cold flashes. Norwalk virus aside, I've never seen him this sick.
So, imagine what the flu and other highly contagious and dangerous diseases can do to children or immunocompromised adults who haven't been vaccinated.
Feel this post is too serious? Take a healthy dose of humour in the form of Rick Mercer's 2012 rant on flu vaccines.
Beyond the flu, parents can readily protect infants from many diseases. Most of us take for granted that vaccines are an important way to fend off polio, mumps, measles, whooping cough, chicken pox, meningitis, diphtheria and the list goes on.
The same isn't true in other parts of the world. Millions of families don't have access to disease-preventing vaccines. Kudos to the volunteers, scientists, health practitioners, missionaries and philanthropists who work tirelessly and give generously to bring immunization to communities without their own means to vaccinate children and adults alike.
Access to technology to help protect us, our loved ones and people around the world.
AWESOME!
I know I'm guilty, but I encourage you to stop for a minute to ponder how fortunate we are to live during a time when vaccines exist. Or for that matter, in a country where vaccines are available to us, in many cases, even covered under health care plans.
As adults, we tend to think about vaccines when we face potential harm. Step on a rusty nail and you wonder, "When was my last tetanus shot?" You're taking a trip and realize you should get to a travel clinic early for a Hepatitis A/B needle.
Or, fall arrives, bringing seasonal influenza along for the ride.
And what a ride! The flu pulled a hit-and-run on my hubby this week. It's sobering to see what the flu can do to someone who eats well, is fit and has more get-up-and-go than the Energizer bunny. Mike hasn't left the house, aches from head to toe, has no appetite, and alternates between hot and cold flashes. Norwalk virus aside, I've never seen him this sick.
So, imagine what the flu and other highly contagious and dangerous diseases can do to children or immunocompromised adults who haven't been vaccinated.
Feel this post is too serious? Take a healthy dose of humour in the form of Rick Mercer's 2012 rant on flu vaccines.
Beyond the flu, parents can readily protect infants from many diseases. Most of us take for granted that vaccines are an important way to fend off polio, mumps, measles, whooping cough, chicken pox, meningitis, diphtheria and the list goes on.
The same isn't true in other parts of the world. Millions of families don't have access to disease-preventing vaccines. Kudos to the volunteers, scientists, health practitioners, missionaries and philanthropists who work tirelessly and give generously to bring immunization to communities without their own means to vaccinate children and adults alike.
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| A child in India receives a vaccine (photo credit: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on flickr) |
AWESOME!
Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Shannon. Although I'm sure Rick's rant was the most persuasive reminder.
ReplyDelete