Every year, children die in the U.S. from influenza and its complications. In fact,
influenza kills about 100 American children under five years of age every year. These are
unnecessary, vaccine-preventable losses. Here are two of their stories.
The Jackson Family
On December 24, 2003, 5½-month-old Marques Jackson, Jr. of Kent, Ohio came down
with a fever and a runny nose and symptoms of what his family thought was just a
common cold. After a visit to the doctor, it was determined that Marques had influenza.
Over the next 24 hours, the severity of his symptoms progressed. Marques began having
trouble breathing so his parents called 911. As Marques was being rushed to the hospital
he suffered from several small strokes. Marques died in the hospital from complications
of influenza on December 28, 2003, just four days after his first symptom appeared.
Because of his young age Marques could not get vaccinated against the flu.
This tragedy has made Marques’ mother and grandfather crusaders for yearly influenza
vaccinations. Today, everyone in the family gets vaccinated against the flu.
The Marotta Family
On October 9, 2009, 5-year-old Joseph Marotta, who lived in Springboro, Ohio,
developed a sniffle and a cough. Later that day, Joseph became very lethargic and his
breathing became labored. His parents called their pediatrician who suggested they take
Joseph to the local urgent care. Once they arrived, the doctors and nurses decided
Joseph needed to be immediately transported to the local children’s hospital.
At the hospital, Joseph was sent to the ICU where the doctors treated him for breathing
difficulties. They determined that evening that Joseph had pneumonia and, later,
influenza. Throughout Joseph’s hospital stay, his condition was up and down; he was on
multiple medications for the influenza and pneumonia. Joseph also developed stomach
pain, which the doctors attributed to H1N1 influenza and pneumonia. Joseph vomited
intermittently throughout that week. He had no appetite and was on IV fluids.
On October 18, 2009, a little more than a week after being admitted, Joseph suffered a
catastrophic intestinal rupture of approximately a quarter inch that caused him to go
into shock and bleed out. It was determined during his autopsy that Joseph had
developed an ulcer in his intestines as a result of H1N1 influenza that slowly eroded his
intestinal tract until it ruptured.
Joseph had not been vaccinated against H1N1 influenza because at the time the vaccine
was not available in his community. However, the Marottas are strong advocates for
influenza vaccine and every year they get themselves and their daughter vaccinated
against the flu. They are also both members of the Families Fighting Flu Board of
Directors.
About Families Fighting Flu
In 2004, families adversely impacted by influenza – their children had suffered serious
medical complications or died from influenza – came together to found Families
Fighting Flu. The mission of Families Fighting Flu (FFF) is to save lives by protecting all
children and their families against influenza, in the hope that other families do not have
to experience the devastating effects of flu.
FFF works tirelessly to increase awareness about the seriousness of the disease and
reduce the number of childhood hospitalizations and deaths caused by the flu by
increasing flu vaccination rates. FFF develops educational and outreach materials,
works in collaboration with community partners to vaccinate children, and advocates
for public policies that support our mission. Our supporters include health care
practitioners and advocates committed to flu prevention. Families Fighting Flu is a
nonprofit, 501(c)(3) volunteer-based advocacy organization based in Arlington, VA. To
learn more about FFF, please visit www.familiesfightingflu.org.