Jabs and sugar lumps

[Wispy68]

When I was a child, I can remember being given a sugar lump after my immunisation jabs. I always thought of this as being a kind of 'reward' for being brave (!), but have often wondered whether it was something to do with helping us to cope with the shock of it, in a similar way to which a cup of hot, sweet tea calms people down after a shock.

[Cetti]

Nicola - As a child the needles seemed to be the size of a tree trunk I remember,so a reward of a sweet is the least they could do! A sugar lump was also the crafty method used to hide the polio vaccine given to young children.Your theory of shock and sugar makes a lot of sense - I havn't thought of it like that before.

[Moi]

I always thought this was for polio - didnt they pour the medicine over the sugar to hide the foul taste?

[whiskygalore]

Sugar produces a chemical high, which I'd imiagine 'cancels out' any pain for a short while. The modern equivalent would be a lollipop. PLus if a child has something in their mouth, they're less likely to be screaming the place down.

[William]

Polio vaccine is/was given orally on a sugar cube - because it can be (most must be injected).

[Pinotage]

I had a travel shot on a sugar lump (can't remember if it was yellow fever or what.

 

If the dose is a small amount which can be taken orally, it can be accurately dropped onto a sugar lump, and especially if it tastes foul the sugar disguises the taste.

 

I'm not keen on eating a sugar lump, but I'd rather that than get a needle stuck in my bottom.