It’s hard to remember back to last year when we were blanketed with ominous warnings of a devastating strain of influenza that put us all at risk. At the same time, the vaccine for the expected strain was difficult, nearly impossible, to find. Fortunately we all made it through that flu season without major difficulty.

This year it’s a bit different. Every drug store will sell you a flu shot with no waiting. I got mine yesterday during a routine visit to the doctor. Also included was a ten-year tetanus booster with a little extra kick. This injection also included protection against Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough. I had thought that disease had been eradicated like scarlet fever and small pox. I guess not.