My PSA Regarding Flu Shots

The girls received their seasonal flu shot and H1N1 shot last month. So they are now due for their booster for the H1N1. I called Kaiser’s “Flu Hotline” and according to the recorded message flu shots are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. So I did my best to get the girls all prepared for their shot.

Well, apparently my best wasn’t good enough.  I tried explaining that we need the shots to prevent the germs and bugs that are in the air from making us sick.  I would have been alright had I just said germs. No I went and added the “bugs.”  Oh my gosh, during the entire 20-minute drive to the doctor’s office, the Big One tried to grasp what I was saying.

She said, OH! I know what bugs make us sick, rolly pollies. We shouldn’t play with them.

No I explained not those kind of bugs. I tried again saying that the bugs were so small we couldn’t see them.

OH! You mean like lady bugs, she asked.

No, again I tried to retract my statement and attempted my explanation again just saying germs.  I tried to tell her the germs can make us sick.

OH! Last time I puked all over the couch. The germs made me and {Little One} puke, she said.

I tried to back pedal again, I said well, I meant flu, not really cold, like when we have a runny nose, cough, watery eyes or sore throat.

I think she was getting tired of this routine so then she just said, “well I am going to cry when I get my shot.”

I told her it was okay to cry and left it at that.

So my advice to you is don’t try to explain why flu shots are necessary, just tell them because you said so.

My other bit of advice is don’t believe the Kaiser Flu Hotline. After all my explaining and preparation, we got there and the flu shot clinic is now only open Tuesday through Thursday.