Fall 2009, and flu is the topic of the season – well, at least when Tiger Woods is not. Shortage of seasonal flu vaccines, severe shortage of H1N1 flu vaccines, paranoid parents and sick kids.

Ms. Pandey gets first preference on the flu vaccines and is taken to the doctor first, unannounced of course. A bit of chitter-chatter in the waiting room, before Mama tells her that she is about to be jabbed with 2 injections. Panic, Chaos, and Tears. Nurse walks in with the flu vaccines. A voilent reaction, and the vaccine drips to the floor contributing further to the shortage. The second try is successful, and the H1N1 goes through as well. All this while, Panic, Chaos and Tears. Back at home, with an aching arm (the H1N1 is supposed to hit pretty hard), there are more Tears.

Dumps gets his chance almost a month later, after many stressful and confrontational calls to the pediatrician’s office by Mama. Dumps is excited just visiting the doctor’s office. While in the waiting room, there is chitter-chatter and profuse babbling. The nurse walks in with the chicken-pox, MMR, as well as the H1N1. Dumps is jabbed 3 times. All the while, the chitter-chatter and babbling continued as if a feather was brushed on his thighs. No issues on the way back. No issues back home. None, ever.