Kennedy: Adventures in flu shots stick with me

As I prepared to roll up my sleeve for my H1N1 flu shot at Eastgate Center last Monday, the nurse looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“You didn’t prepare for this, did you?” he said.

“Excuse me,” I replied. (Not prepared, huh? Why, I’ve been preparing to get my H1N1 shot for months, I thought.)

“Your sleeve,” said the nurse. “You won’t be able to roll up your shirtsleeve far enough.”

Sure enough, the sleeve of my blue dress shirt balked when I got to my elbow. I managed a week smile as I loosened my tie and unbuttoned my shirt to uncover my upper arm.

In the weeks before I got my flu shot, I’d checked the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department Web site daily for updates on the availability of the H1N1 vaccine.

Actually, I was the last person in my family to get the H1N1 vaccine. My two sons, ages 8 and 3, had already had two rounds of nasal mist. My wife had completed the single snort of FluMist required for adults several weeks earlier, too.

Because of my age, 51, I had to wait until last week when the H1N1 injections became available to everyone under age 65. (Call the Hamilton County Health Department at 423-209-8393 to make your appointment for the free H1N1 vaccine.)

It’s funny how you want something more when told that you can’t have it. Because of the delay in giving the vaccine to older adults, I wanted to be first in line.

I am mystified by people who seem to be fearful of getting the H1N1 vaccine. I’m no public health expert, but I’ve known enough people who’ve been run over by this H1N1 flu pandemic to know I don’t want to take any chances.

For you parents, kids typically get the nasal mist. I’ve noticed from my now four flu vaccine missions this fall that most children seem to tolerate it well.

I say “most,” because my boys were the exceptions. They can inject drama into any situation.

When my 8-year-old was first confronted with the FluMist this fall, he thought the nurse was going to stick a needle up his nose. Consequently, I had to hold him firmly — like a straitjacket — while she administered the mist.

Seeing his tough big brother reduced to tears was enough to send my 3-year-old into a blind panic.

By their third trip to get FluMist, though — one for seasonal flu and twice for H1N1 — the boys had gathered their nerves.

Won’t you?

Sometimes, lost in the political tail-chasing on health-care reform is the fact our public health system works pretty well.

The facts: H1N1 is bad news. The vaccine apparently works.

So, what are you waiting for?