A year into being first-time grandparents, Janet and I were preparing to leave a restaurant when Janet noticed a child about the same age as our Noelle.

Janet complimented the parents and grandchildren on their beautiful child, nearly a year old, and started comparing notes. One thing led to another, and before we departed, the proud grandmother interjected and said we should not allow our grandchild to be vaccinated. She added they would not vaccinate their granddaughter.

Diplomatically, but firmly, Janet explained that our granddaughter had already received her recommended vaccinations. She softened the discussion by explaining our daughter-in-law, the mother, manages a territory for a large pharmaceutical company.

The grandmother seemed to me to express regret on our behalf as though

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