Respected Sir/Madam,

Despite your rather curt and clear advice not to write to you, I am compelled to write this letter. I have to share this.

After COVID- COVID drama, now it is vaccine- vaccine galatta.

When my son was a baby, Mangalam and I used to take him for vaccinations quietly. Apart from us and our family doctor no one got to know about it.

Now with this COVID vaccine, the whole world seems to be bothered if I am vaccinated or not. I as a parent did not bother about any vaccine as much as my son is now bothered about the COVID vaccine.

Here is a short transcript of the telephonic conversation Mangalam and I had with our son Janakiraman, alias Jan.

Jan : Appa Amma have you taken the COVID vaccine ?

MB: No. I am not eligible. Ask your appa.

Jan : Why are you not eligible ? My Facebook timeline is full of photos of mama-mamis in various stages of undress grinning while taking a jab.

MB: I am not eligible because I am not yet 60 and Muruga Saranam I don't have any sugar, BP also . Your appa is eligible but he refuses to go. He says only when I am eligible he will take the vaccine with me. As if he does not do anything without me !

JB : Technically, I may be eligible but what is the big hurry..I am quite young among the eligible lot of 60+. Let the old people take first. Let those with that co-morbidity mannangkatti take it.

Jan : Appa you must take it. I heard they are not very strict about age and co-morbidity also. So amma can also go with you. Shall I register for you in the app from here?

JB : No..I can manage..I will wait for some of my friends’ reports and then decide. I will see if they are having any side effects.

Jan : I heard both the vaccines are good. You can take whatever they give.

JB : All propaganda..The Astra Zeneca vaccine is being stopped in many European countries. The other Made-in-India one COVAXIN has not even got WHO approval.

Jan : Both are good..Better than being exposed to COVID risk..I hear that whole Chennai is on the roads for election campaigns.

JB : That is right, full campaign fever. That is what..Let the elections get over we will take vaccine. Maybe with all the kumbal on the streets, whole Chennai will get herd immunity by then. Then no need for vaccine itself !!

MB: Your appa for all his big talk like Sivaji, he is afraid of injections. He is hoping some vaccine like polio drops will come.

JB : Who said I am afraid of injections ? But yes even Sowmya amma of WHO says better vaccines are coming. I hear more than 200 vaccines are under development. The first ones need not be the best.

Jan: I am totally surprised we are talking so much about whether to take vaccine or not.

MB : Exactly. Whole of 2020 we waited for vaccine and it was your appa who said “ vaccine will come and COVID will go “ … Now, when vaccine has come and is easily available, it is no longer that desirable.

JB : Yes, I said..But vaccine is just an additional mask nothing more. Can any vaccine protect me from COVID forever?

Jan : No..But what is the harm in taking..At least, it will give me some comfort.

MB : You don't worry kanna ..I will push your appa to take it soon and I will also take it after I turn 60 in April.

Jan : Don't forget to click the photos and collect the certificate !

So my wife and son have decided that I will have to take the vaccination. The time slot will be decided by the app. The government will decide which vaccine will enter my blood. Who knows what kuchipudi it will do once it is inside.

Is there any freedom in this country at all ?

Yours in vaccine hesitation,

J Bhoothalingam