A vaccine a day keeps the doctors away…
Jul 11th, 2007 by Neena
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Needles as a child – How I said “Nevermore” – Needles as an adult.
Vaccinations are a familiar part of any holiday for me. As a child in India, my family made our annual pilgrimage to Mumbai to visit the family from New Delhi. And so the ritual trip to the doctor’s office to arm ourselves against typhoid, cholera and tetanus, amidst much crying in anticipation of the needle.
I remember clearly the moment when I determined to stop crying. As is common in India, some family friends had dropped in unexpectedly just as we were about to go to the doctor’s office. So, we all set off for the quick little pricks and then dinner. In the middle of bawling when my turn came, I turned my head to see the guest’s kids, our age, with their noses pressed against the outer glass peering at us and laughing at our plight. And I said, “Nevermore”!

