TEXAS – Flu season is upon us, and the risks it poses, even to healthy young children, are very real.
Megan Parks and her family from the Klein area lost their vibrant two-year-old daughter, Kennedy, to the flu in February 2023.
Kennedy was a lively and loving toddler with no prior health issues.
“She tested positive for the flu after developing a fever and some other flu-like symptoms. At that time, she was not vaccinated for the flu. We had always been diligent about getting all of our vaccinations, but in her case, her routine appointment fell outside of flu season, so she did not get the vaccine that year. When she got sick, we were instructed to rest at home and monitor her symptoms with a heavy emphasis on watching her breathing. After a few days, she got worse and her lips turned bluish. I rushed her to the nearest hospital, which was about 15 minutes away. Didn’t even make it halfway there by the time she became unresponsive. I pulled over, called 911, we tried everything we could, but we ultimately lost her,” Parks said.
The progression of Kennedy’s illness was rapid and devastating. From the time she was diagnosed to the day she passed away was only three days.
Health experts emphasize that anyone can get seriously ill from the flu, even those who appear healthy. Certain groups, including young children, are at higher risk for complications.
“The harsh reality is that anyone can get sick from the flu. Even people who feel healthy and serious problems from flu can happen at any age. Now, certainly, there are some people at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years of age and older, people with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma or heart disease, pregnant women, and young children,” explained Dr. Candice Robinson, Director of Scientific Affairs and Public Health, US Vaccines, GSK.
Dr. Robinson urges parents to talk to their child’s healthcare provider about flu vaccination and where to get it.
Parks and her family now advocate for flu vaccinations to prevent other families from experiencing similar loss.
“The flu was just simply not on our radar. I had never had the flu in my entire life. So, it just wasn’t something that we were really worried about,” Parks said. “It is our mission now to make sure that no family experiences the loss of a child due to a preventable illness, specifically the flu. You know, we have this vaccination and it is difficult, you know, when everyone’s working and it’s kind of hard to set aside that time, but it truly doesn’t take that long and it can change your life.”
Parks said her community was shocked to learn how deadly the flu can be for children.
“Everybody in our community was just as shocked as we were. Truthfully, you know, when she died, it almost kind of was almost like there must be something, there must have been something else going on. It was shocking to find out that no, it simply was from the flu,” Parks explained.
For more information on flu prevention and vaccination, talk to your healthcare provider or visit cdc.gov/flu.