‘My grandmother imbued me with an appreciation of the marvels of science to protect us’

“Vaccines not only save lives, they can protect us from what life could have been like without them.”

When asked by numerous people if I was hesitant to get/give the vaccine to my children, I refer to my grandmother who got polio as a child and had one leg shorter than the other the rest of her life, and my father who was legally blind without his glasses due to the measles, what they would have given to have a vaccine that would have spared them these painful outcomes, before answering that no.

I had no hesitation in getting/giving the vaccine as soon as it was available. (My grandmother and father) did not have the “freedom” to chose not to be afflicted for the remainder of their lives by these dreaded pandemics because there was not yet a vaccine that could have protected them.

Their freedom was impaired by the effects of these contagious viruses that altered the course of their lives forever.

My grandmother imbued me with an appreciation of the marvels of science to protect us and restore freedoms such as the ability to let one’s children outside to play without fear of death and disfigurement.

We all have lived free of this fear because of the incredible advancements in science.

Tenley Zinke

Warwick