Baby Gemma's Immunization

As little Gemma turned six weeks old, her mother told her two sisters, Mala and Anza that baby Gemma was going to the doctor for her immunization – a special way to help her stay healthy and strong.

 “On Friday, we shall all go with baby Gemma to the hospital for her immunization,” Mummy said.

 Mala and Anza jumped up in excitement at the news. They always enjoyed going out of the house.

After celebrating, Mala the eldest sister asked, “Mummy, what is immu…. Innovation?” She was unable to remember the word Mummy had used.

“Immunization,” Mummy helped her.

“Yes, what is immunization?” Mala asked again, saying the word slowly but correctly.

“Immunization is like giving Gemma's body special helpers through tiny shots and some drops in her mouth. These helpers will learn how to fight off bad germs that can make her very sick, like a cold that makes you cough a lot, or a tummy bug that hurts,” Mummy replied.

“A shot? Like a needle prick?” Anza asked, her eyes wide open. She was very afraid of pricks.

“Yes, sweetie,” Mummy replied. “But the pricks are very quick. And the good news is that we shall all be there with baby Gemma to make her feel safe.”

“Oh Mummy, I hope I never go for ‘Immuzation’ I really fear pricks!” Anza responded.

 “Immunization,” Mummy corrected her with a gentle smile. “But the good news is, you were already immunized when you were a baby, just like Gemma is now. These first immunizations are very important for little babies because their bodies are still growing and need extra help to fight off germs.”

“What? Did I cry a lot when I was pricked?” Anza asked.

“Hmmm….. You sure did!” Mummy said while smiling. “But Daddy, Mala, and I were by your side to comfort you, and it was over very quickly.”

Friday finally arrived, and all of them got up early, excited for the car ride to the hospital. Daddy put on his favorite white sneakers that day, and off they went. When they got to the hospital, the queue was not very long. After a short while, a kind nurse called them into a small room.

While there, the kind nurse asked to carry baby Gemma so she could check her weight. She wrote this down on Gemma’s Immunization Card. Hereafter, a few drops were placed in her mouth. This was easy peasy. And then, the moment had come for the pricking.

“Okay, the baby may cry a bit,” the kind nurse said gently.

With a small, clean needle in hand and some cotton wool, she gave baby Gemma the immunizations in both of her little thighs. Anza closed her eyes and held on to Mummy. Just as the nurse had said, baby Gemma let out a loud cry. She was clearly not happy about the little pinches.

“Sorry Gemma, sorry Gemma,” Mala and Anza said while gently patting her head and making comforting noises. “It’s okay, little sister, don’t cry!”

When they got home, both Mala and Anza took turns singing to their baby sister, who was clearly uncomfortable for the first few hours. By the time it came to bedtime, both of them were very exhausted from the day of comforting loud cries. But the following morning, when they got up, baby Gemma seemed to be back in her good moods. She was laughing and kicking the air again, her usual happy self.

That day, Daddy brought the two little girls some special gifts each. “These gifts are to say thank you for comforting baby Gemma yesterday!” he announced.

Mala and Anza beamed, each holding their new toys.

The End.

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