Crazy Sunday

This Sunday was the complete opposite of last Sunday.  We took the twins to get shots today.  The school/gov't here suggests that the kids get Meningcoccal something or other which translates to Bacterial Meningitis vaccine.  Apparently the US gives it around 10-11 yrs of age as well but the twins are just on the young side of most 4th graders.  Anyway, going to a doctor here has been my one dread.  I've read so many forums about being aware of where the vaccines come from, what manufacturer makes them, etc. that it just makes my head spin.  It's a whole world of pharmaceutical company names and which hospital/clinic carries certain vaccines and which ones don't.  All things I'm so unfamiliar with and had no need to know in the US.  Thus I just truly had been avoiding it at all costs.  In fact, the vaccine we got today was manufactured in France but "packaged" in China - packaged meaning they made the box and put all the Chinese characters/words on the box.  Sammy asked how to tell if it was a counterfeit vaccine and they paused and said, "Uh, there's no way to know."  Lovely...ok mom and dad, you were right, should've chosen the doctor route in school.

So we went and dragged two very sour-looking kids . . . they haven't had a shot in probably 4-5 years - yet they still remember that they hate them.  Emily started crying the minute the nurse said, "Who's going first (for the shot)?"  We tried the coaxing method:  "First one who goes can have a smoothie afterwards."  No takers.  "First one can pick something to buy at the store."  No bites.  Probably should've gone straight to offering money or a seat in first class on a flight to the US.  Then the two nurses decided they could give the shots simultaneously to avoid one child going before the other.  Wonderful!  That just allowed for the sound of wailing to be in stereo during the shot!  At some point the door to the room became left open and soon other staff was peeking in as to why the room was so loud.  Our whole family of six in a small patient room already draws attention, but the sound just enhanced that to circus level.  I felt bad for the kids at first, then felt thoroughly embarrassed as the kids continued to wail in unison after what felt like 5 minutes.  Deja vu to when they were infants!  Really did not need to re-live that moment...  

We originally also considered getting flu shots for everyone (prior to the drama) but in the end, decided against it for now.  Interestingly, other countries only encourage flu shots for people at risk (young, old, or people with respiratory issues, etc.) vs. the US who just encourages it if you want to protect yourself.  Other countries (the doctor we saw today was from Holland) believe that the flu shot might have a link to dementia.  Regardless, I'm pretty sure there is no way in hell the kids will let me take them back for flu shots BUT I think they'll be better motivated about washing their hands if I tell them what will happen when they don't and they get sick and need a shot . . .