國立教育廣播電臺

Hope:

How’s everything today, Joey?

Joey:

Just fine. But I am having a little headache!

Hope:

A headache? Why?

Joey:

It is something about 流感疫苗施打。

Hope:

The flu shots? Wait! Are you going to get the flu shot?

Joey:

No, it is not for me. It’s for my mother. I am just quite worried about my mother because people around her都感冒了.

You know, 流感和COVID-19! And she has to work with them almost every day!

Hope:

I see what you mean. You worry that your mother doesn’t have enough protection if she hasn’t received any flu shots.

Joey:

That’s right. This year in October, 政府提供公費流感疫苗施打，對了，Hope，how do you say公費流感疫苗in English?

Hope:

Okay. It’s the Government-funded flu shot. It is a good policy, isn’t it?

Joey:

Yes, the Government-funded flu shot is a good policy because it is free for most of people. But don’t we call 疫苗 vaccine?

Hope:

You are right. It is called vaccine. In fact, the full name of the flu shot is the influenza vaccine shot. So, the short form of the influenza is the flu.

Joey:

I see. That is an easier way to say 流感疫苗, the flu vaccine shot or the flu shot.

Hope:

Correct. But I remember that this year, The Taiwan CDC (疾管署) started the first stage of the flu shot on October 1st for senior over 65,

children, and high-risk groups. And the second stage started on November 1st  for the rest of people. How come your mom hasn’t received the shot yet?

Joey:

I have asked my mom to go get a flu shot many times, but she refused. (Sigh!) In this case, she is quite stubborn!

Hope:

Why did she refuse to go for the flu shot?

Joey:

Well, she said she is afraid to have 副作用!

Hope:

The side effects?

Joey:

Yes, the side effects. She says she might feel headache, 肌肉痠痛and 疲勞 if she gets the flu shot.

Hope:

I see. She is worried that she might experience the headache, muscle pain or tiredness.

Joey:

Yes, she is worried that she might experience the headache, muscle pain or tiredness.

Hope:

Well, she shouldn’t have worried about those symptoms. At least, getting the flu shot can protect her from various strains of the flu.

Joey:

I agree. Now, the only thing I can do every day is to 提醒她to wear the mask all the time.

Hope:

It’s good that you remind her to wear the mask all the time. It’s the basic protection for her.

Joey:

By the way, Hope, how do you say 自費in English?

Hope:

Oh, you can say you want to get the flu shot at your own expense.

Joey:

Now, I am thinking to get the flu shot at my own expense, so I can also convince my mom to go get the flu shot with me!

Hope:

That’s a good idea. Anyway, I hope everyone can stay healthy through this winter.