Pin Cushion

As part of my job is dealing with medical equipment, I went to day to the county's health department--which, for my local friends who may not know--has a satellite office in American Fork!  So handy!!  I was dreading a trip to Provo at 8 AM, twice.

I don't deal with the equipment itself very much, but it could happen and my employers see the advantage of protecting all of us.  So they covered a Hep A/B shot and a TB test.  While I was there, the nurse asked me how long it had been since my last DTP booster.  I told her I know I had one for girls camp once, but it was probably 15 years ago now.  So I go that one too.

I expected to have my arms much more sore than they are.  The TB and Hep needles didn't even really hurt.  The DTaP one, the nurse explained, has more medicine and it stings a little more so there was a little discomfort from that one, but I'm feeling pretty good today.

While I had the nurse's attention, I asked her about my other childhood immunizations.  Did they need to be updated or are there boosters for shots so old, like polio?  She told me they don't do the polio one anymore as it is nearly extinct in the western hemisphere.  If I were traveling or in the military, I'd be a candidate for the small pox vaccine, but I don't see that happening!

I go back to have her "read" my TB test on Thursday or Friday morning.  Then next in the Hep A/B series is due about June 1st.  I love a job that is looking out for my protection--whether or not the government says they have to do this for me.