Japanese Scenes

Before the call

💡 What to know before you call

In Japan, children under 13 get the flu injection twice, about 2 to 4 weeks apart, and the approved dosing notes (summarised in an MHLW vaccine committee paper) say 4 weeks is preferable for the immune response. There's also a nasal spray vaccine (フルミスト) for ages 2 to under 19, given once, one spray in each nostril. For kids, the flu shot is a voluntary vaccination (), not part of the routine schedule (routine flu shots are mainly for people 65+), so you usually pay at the clinic. Some cities and wards run their own subsidy, so check your ward's website before booking.

Words this call depends on

をしたいんですが
I'd like to book a vaccination.
どのくらいばですか
How long should I leave (between them)?
からもありますか
Do you also have the nasal vaccine?
they'll ask!
maternal and child health handbook (they ask you to bring it to every shot)
they'll ask!
pre-vaccination screening form (fill it in before you come: 書いておいてください)
、があったらどうすればですか
If he has a fever on the day, what should I do?

Grammar you'll use

〜たいんですが
I'd like to ~, but… (soft request / opener that invites help)
Verb-ます stem + たいんですが
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予防接種を予約たいんですが
Hint: する
〜ばいいですか
asking for advice: what/where/when should I ~?
Question word + verb ば-form + いいですか (買う→買えば, 出す→出せば, する→すれば)
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どのくらいばいいですか
Hint: 空ける → ば-form
〜ておく
do something in advance / to be ready
Verb て-form + おく (書いておく, 予約しておく). Request: 〜ておいてください. Casual speech often shortens it to 〜とく (書いとく).
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予診票はご来院の前においてください
Hint: 書く → て-form
〜たら
if/when ~ (conditional)
Verb-た + ら
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熱がどうすればいいですか
Hint: ある → たら

The flow of the call6 steps · orange = they'll ask you

1Give your name and say why you're callingLines 1–2
2They explain the two doses; ask about the gap (they ask you)Lines 3–5
3Ask about the nasal vaccine, choose the injection and ask for SaturdayLines 6–8
4Get a date and the list of things to bringLine 9
5Ask what to do if he has a feverLines 10–11
6Close the callLine 12

Up next · step 2 of 4

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