Triple ouch

Ethan had his pre-school immunisations yesterday.

The note I received just said he needed to be offered Tetanus Booster 1, Polio Booster 1, Pert Booster 1, MMR2, Dip Booster 1 and Hib Catch-up.

Tetanus and Polio are self-explanatory. MMR is the controversial Measles, Mumps and Rubella triple vaccine.

Pert refers to pertussis which means whooping cough.

Dip refers to diptheria.

Hib is Haemophilus influenzae type b. Apparently Haemophilus influenzae type b can lead to diseases like septicaemia, meningitis and pneumonia which are quite serious.

This sounds like a major assault on a three year old's body and it translated into three injections.

Ethan doesn't like going to the doctor's surgery and he's old enough to know that vaccination means needle. It was long enough since the last injection though that I think he'd forgotten how much pain this would mean.

The first injection in the left arm resulted in a wince and then Ethan knew exactly what was going on.

The second injection produced tears, but his response to third was a stiff upper lip.

Aside from the obvious immunisation against disease he was rewarded with three dips into the sweetie jar and a sticker.

Oh, and the effects of the MMR (possible rash and cold symptoms) may kick in in seven days, just in time for Ethan's birthday and party.