The first time I had the flu vaccination was in 1964. I was at boarding school and it had just become a ‘must have’ thing.
All of the girls lined up for the shot. I did not have any fear of needles but some of the girls did. Quite a few of the of the girls cried and screamed, but I stood my ground, rather stoically I might add.
It was soon my turn and the doctor looked like something out of a Frankenstein movie. He loaded up this giant needle and took aim at my arm from about a foot away. With gritted teeth he bore down on my poor arm, something akin to a crazed wasp going in for the sting. I swear that needle almost went through to the other side of my arm. It hurt, it more than hurt. It almost made me cry, but I held my tears in because I had called all the other girls ‘sooks’. I gritted my teeth for the rest of the day. The pain was intense.
Of course there were the horrible girls who delighted in punching everyone’s arm. More pain. That was not the worst of it though. Oh no, it was not over yet.
The next day I came out in a severe rash. I lost my voice. Not even a squeak would come out. I was a bit like a fish out of water, gasping, no sound at all.
The first class of the day was a maths. Not my favourite. The teacher was a dragon-like woman. She asked a question and many put their hands up to answer. I did not, as I could not speak. Of course she asked me for the answer, but when I opened my mouth not a sound came out. She got mad, sent me to stand outside the classroom.
The Headmistress came by and berated me for being naughty. She asked me why I was there, but of course, I could not answer. She too told me what a rude disrespectful child I was. All the time I was gaping, opening and closing my mouth but there was no sound coming out.
This lasted for three days. It was not a pleasant time for me and I vowed never to have another flu shot, ever.
Forty years later and I was working as a cook in a childcare centre. Flu vaccinations were mandatory. I duly lined up and had another shot. The doctor this time was quite pleasant and I barely felt the jab. However, the next day was a different story. I was covered in a severe rash, and again my voice had left me.
At least there was no teacher waiting to chastise me. I had one of my kids call in to my work and tell them I was ill.
That was my very last flu vaccination. I have never had another one, and never will. It’s also worth noting that I have also never had the flu.