1 min read

I want to share how my family has been affected by vaccines. First, comic relief: when our baby began receiving the recommended shots, I was pleased but mystified by her reaction: she simply smiled at the nurse. Weren’t babies supposed to yell? Each time we returned to the medical office for follow-up vaccines, I witnessed happy interactions between my baby and the nurses. Was our kid normal, I wondered? Finally, a few years later, our child — then a toddler — loudly conveyed her opinion about that sharp “pinch.” Phew.

There are much sadder records in my extended family about a lack of medicines to help beloved siblings, parents and children. For example, before Penicillin was commonly available (in the 1940s) my grandmother’s sister died at age 21 (in 1930) of pneumonia. I’m glad that many other diseases have been controlled thanks to science. Smallpox, typhoid and diphtheria used to terrify communities. My ancestors also feared yellow fever, polio, mumps, measles and tetanus.

Let’s not replay those tragedies. Instead, let’s ensure that everyone gets to learn about the best medications available. My ancestors would have loved access to such medicines.

Mariana Tupper
Falmouth