The two families, after a day of careful deliberation, decided to have their children vaccinated. The next morning, after breakfast, both Uncle Fu and Uncle De stayed behind to wait for Chen Lan. They both conveyed the family's decision to her. Uncle Fu said, "Everyone at home has discussed it and decided to vaccinate the child." Uncle De added, "Although Xiao Shit-ou is the only flesh and blood left by Da Hu, I, along with your mother Cui and Cui Qiao, have seriously discussed it. While vaccination still carries a certain risk, what endeavor is without risk? For the child to grow up safely and soundly in the future, we still feel it's worth taking the risk to vaccinate him and prevent diseases that could harm him later." Chen Lan nodded without saying anything, merely stating, "Getting vaccinated is voluntary, not forced. As long as you've considered it carefully, that's good!"
Hutou was led by his father, Xiang Dong, to Chen Lan's side, holding his hand. At this moment, little Hutou was a bit nervous, his chubby little hand tightly gripping his father's large hand.
Xiao Shit-ou was brought by Cui Qiao, holding her hand. As soon as Xiao Shit-ou saw Hutou, he happily waved his chubby little hand to greet him. Hutou then forgot his nervousness and happily whispered and chattered with Xiao Shit-ou, appearing exceptionally lively and adorable!
Chen Lan smiled and said, "You two little fellows still have endless whispers for each other even though you see each other every day."
Chen Lan said to Xiang Dong and Cui Qiao, "Today, I'll first check their physical condition. If they don't have a fever, cough, and are energetic, I'll first give Hutou and Xiao Shit-ou the vaccine for varicella. Later, when the sun is high at noon, give the children a warm bath and change into clean clothes. Absolutely do not let the children catch a cold, or they won't be able to get vaccinated."
Xiang Dong and Cui Qiao listened attentively to every word Chen Lan said, nodding occasionally.
Chen Lan continued, "In the future, you need to take better care of the children. It's estimated that they'll need catch-up vaccinations for the next few months. Absolutely do not let them catch a cold, have a fever, or diarrhea."
Before lunch, the two children were washed clean and brought over. Hutou was brought by Mother Liu and Hu Yuzhen. Xiao Shit-ou was brought by Mother Cui and Cui Qiao.
Chen Lan held the chubby little hands of the two little ones and got into the car, letting the children's mothers hold the babies securely, unbutton their clothes to expose one arm.
Chen Lan quickly disinfected her hands and first administered the vaccine to Xiao Shit-ou. Seeing that Xiao Shit-ou was a little nervous, she said, "Getting vaccinated doesn't hurt at all. See, Jia Yao and Jia Hui didn't cry when they got their vaccines. Xiao Shit-ou is a big brother, so he's even braver, isn't he? He won't be afraid of pain and won't cry."
As Chen Lan spoke, she followed the steps indicated on the system screen, quickly disinfected Xiao Shit-ou's arm, and administered the vaccine before Xiao Shit-ou could even react.
When administering the vaccine to Hutou, Chen Lan used the same method. However, Hutou was more timid than Xiao Shit-ou and was three months younger. The trick used on Xiao Shit-ou didn't work on Hutou. Hutou was uncooperative and started crying loudly. His mother, Hu Yuzhen, tried to comfort him for a long time to no avail. Even Xiao Shit-ou told him, "Little Hutou, it really doesn't hurt," but it was useless.
The crying soon woke up the dragon-phoenix twins who had just eaten their complementary food and fallen asleep. Chen Lan decided to vaccinate the twins first, administering the hepatitis B vaccine booster that was scheduled for these days.
Thinking this, she immediately proceeded. Chen Lan quickly went into the washroom, took out the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination tools she had purchased previously from the system warehouse, and had her mother-in-law and Wenrou's mother each hold one of the babies. They unbuttoned the babies' clothes, revealing their plump, lotus-bud-like arms. She took out the vaccination tools and followed the steps on the system screen. She first administered the vaccine to Jia Yao, quickly disinfected Jia Yao's plump arm, and completed the injection in one go! Jia Yao hadn't reacted yet when he felt a slight pain and was about to cry out, but the process was already over.
Next was Jia Hui, the little delicate one! Jia Hui was very cheerful. Chen Lan playfully amused her while administering the vaccine without her noticing. Jia Hui really didn't react at all; the vaccine had already been administered!
After the vaccinations, the mother-in-law and Wenrou's mother each held a baby and walked outside, preparing to take them to the shade of the tree to lull them back to sleep.
Chen Lan looked at Hutou and said, "Hutou, see! Getting a shot really doesn't hurt. Look, Jia Yao and Jia Hui didn't cry. You're a big brother, shouldn't you be even braver?"
Hutou blinked his tear-filled big eyes, looked at Chen Lan, and nodded. Seeing Hutou agree, Chen Lan acted quickly, disinfected Hutou's little fleshy arm, and administered the vaccine in one fluid motion. After the injection, she didn't forget to ask Hutou, "Hutou, Auntie didn't lie to you, did she? It doesn't hurt, right?"
Hutou nodded and then shook his head, saying, "It doesn't hurt much, just a little bit." As he spoke, he pinched his little finger and thumb to show the extent, looking incredibly cute and endearing!
After vaccinating the two children, Chen Lan explained the post-vaccination care requirements to the children's mothers:
"After vaccination, the children should rest more, drink plenty of boiled water, and try to avoid strenuous exercise. It's best for them to sleep after getting vaccinated."
"For at least a full day after vaccination, the injection site, meaning around the needle prick, should not get wet. Keep the vaccination area clean and hygienic, do not touch it with your hands, and avoid spicy or allergenic foods. It's best to eat light, easily digestible food."
"I'll have my mother-in-law bring you some ingredients later. You can prepare some easily digestible and nutritious meals for the children in the car. You can come and get them at your convenience later."
Chen Lan continued, as she handed a thermometer to each family and pointed to it, "When using the thermometer, shake it vigorously a few times to lower the mercury column. Then, clamp the end with the mercury under the child's armpit. To read the temperature, look at the red line; the scale next to it indicates the temperature, and where the red line stops is the degree."
Seeing both families nod, Chen Lan continued,
"After vaccination, if the child experiences fatigue, weakness, or a low fever, as long as the temperature does not exceed 38.5 degrees Celsius, these are normal reactions to vaccination. Simply let the child rest more, eat bland food, and keep them warm to prevent a cold. The symptoms will usually disappear naturally in two to three days, and at most within seven days."
"If the vaccination site, where the needle was injected, develops redness, swelling, or hardness, you can apply a hot compress with a towel dipped in boiling water to the vaccinated area."
Cui Qiao and Mother Cui, holding Xiao Shit-ou, repeated the nursing requirements and precautions Chen Lan had just explained. Seeing that their recitation was correct, Chen Lan told them to take Xiao Shit-ou back to let him sleep, and then bring him over to play in the afternoon after his nap.
Hutou was also taken away by his mother and grandmother. Chen Lan similarly instructed the mother and daughter-in-law to bring Hutou over to play after his nap so that Chen Lan could observe the children's physical reactions to the vaccine.
Carrying the children, several people said goodbye to Chen Lan, got out of the car, and left.