5-year-old
Las Vegas girl dies from flu despite receiving vaccination.
Foxnews.com January 26, 2015
Foxnews.com January 26, 2015
"A
5-year-old Las Vegas girl died Tuesday after coming down with a strain of the
flu that she had been vaccinated against earlier this year, FOX5 Vegas reported.
The
Clark County Coroner’s Official determined Kiera Driscoll died from cardiac
arrest due to influenza A. Her father, Patrick, told FOX5 Vegas that she had developed a cough
and fever Sunday before being prescribed steroids and a nebulizer on Monday.
Kiera later collapsed, and paramedics were unable to revive her.
Patrick
told the station that his daughter had received a flu shot, with her
doctors confirming that she had contracted the same strain that she had been vaccinated
against.
“She
was healthy Friday. Sunday in the evening, her mother noticed that she was
getting ill,” Laurel Beckstead, Kiera’s aunt told FOX5 Vegas.
Southern
Nevada Health District spokeswoman told the news station that there have been
six flu-related deaths in Clark County this season. Four of the deaths were
children.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 56 children
in 23 states have died from the flu since Sept. 28. The CDC warned in December
that the current flu vaccine available may not be a good match for the most
common strain circulating in the U.S.
The
CDC issued an advisory to doctors noting that flu virus samples the agency took
from Oct. 1 through Nov. 22 showed that just under half were a good match for
the current influenza A component contained in flu shots for the 2014-2015
season, suggesting the virus had drifted.
In
past seasons when the influenza A strain had mutated from the vaccine strain,
flu shots were less effective. Flu seasons dominated by influenza A strains
tend to have higher overall hospitalization rates and more flu-related deaths,
especially among older people and very young children, according to Reuters.
The
CDC said the flu shots may still offer some protection against drifted viruses,
which could help reduce the risk of the most severe complications of the flu."
FoxNews(2014)
5-year-old Las Vegas girl dies from flu despite receiving vaccination.
Foxnews.com. Retrieved from: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/01/26/5-year-old-las-vegas-girl-dies-from-flu-despite-receiving-vaccination/
I posted this story because of the debate on whether or not to get the flu vaccine. We see flu patients in the CVICU when they become so ill that they are placed on ECMO. Last year we saw several patients in their 30-40 years of age suffering from the flu that required ECMO. This year we haven't seen as many, yet! Please add your thoughts on how you view mandatory vaccinations for health care workers.
Sue Matson
I posted this story because of the debate on whether or not to get the flu vaccine. We see flu patients in the CVICU when they become so ill that they are placed on ECMO. Last year we saw several patients in their 30-40 years of age suffering from the flu that required ECMO. This year we haven't seen as many, yet! Please add your thoughts on how you view mandatory vaccinations for health care workers.
Sue Matson
I posted this story because of the debate on whether or not to get the flu vaccine. We see flu patients in the CVICU when they become so ill that they are placed on ECMO. Last year we saw several patients in their 30-40 years of age suffering from the flu that required ECMO. This year we haven't seen as many, yet! Please add your thoughts on how you view mandatory vaccinations for health care workers.
ReplyDeleteSue Matson
Suzanne,
DeleteOur hospital system has mandatory flu vaccination of all employees (with a few exceptions). Although I am not keen on being "forced" to do things, I have no problem with getting the flu vaccine. I do have a question for you. How is the survival rate for adult patients put on ECMO for the flu? Before moving to Houston, I was a member of the ECMO team at the children's hospital where I worked. We had just began to add children to the program that had previously only been neonates. Just curious, I had always heard the older the person, the lesser the odds for a positive outcome.
Our faciltity requires us to get vaccinated as well. This year I talked to a nurse who said that if she were not required to get the vaccine that she wouldn't and no one in her family gets it. Later on her husband and 2 of her children ended up getting the flu and were sick for some time and then she got sick but only for a few days. Just something to think about, since we all really don't have a choice, however I would probably chose to anyway.
DeleteI can definitely see the benefit of protection from taking the vaccine while being a healthcare worker and being exposed to various organisms; but I know a lot of nurses that will opt out of the mandatory flu shot because it is their right, and wear the mask for the entire flue season. I guess, it is similar to the measles controversy right now, should parents be fined for not getting their kids vaccinated? I like having choices.
ReplyDeleteI know there are many people that are against vaccinations, but, now with the measles outbreak, it may wake up some on how important it is to vaccinate our children. There is no data that supports vaccinations and the chance for autism.(The reason most people give for NOT having their child vaccinated). I also support healthcare mandated vaccinations. We are exposed to so many organisms, viruses, and diseases and should not risk ourselves or our families. It is a very small price to may to protect you from getting ill. It is not only mandatory to protect us as individuals, but, it is protection for our patients against us. They have the right for us not to expose them to any thing that we may have.
ReplyDeletePosting information about vaccines is a great public service. Especially when there is a real face to put with an abstract idea. Showing the consequences of failure to vaccinate or actually getting a vaccination are just as important to show as the benefits. An educated health care consumer is more prepared.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne,
ReplyDeleteI know my hospital has seen an influx from the usual number of flu cases. We have treated several of our OB patients, despite their having received the flu vaccine this year. Similar to others who have posted, our facility also has a mandatory vaccination policy for all employees. Unlike other places I have worked, however, if you cannot provide documentation showing an allergy or other contraindication and the vaccine is not taken, employee termination can result. At other facilities I have worked at, you simply had to wear a mask if you chose not to receive the vaccine. I felt termination was infringing on employees rights to decide whether or not they wanted the vaccination.
Kelly,
DeleteMy facility does not require employees to have the Influenza vaccine. Most of the nurses however choose to have this vaccine for obvious reasons. Hopefully these facilities that terminate employees for not receiving the vaccine are given the information prior to employment.
Nice job on your blog I Like that you already have a couple different posts, and two different topics all while keeping with the theme of your blog. very good.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that this season's vaccine wasn't more effective. I think it's important that we educate patients on the importance of getting the flu vaccine anyway, because it can reduce flu symptoms and protect against some strains.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post on the flu vaccine. I had received the fl vaccine and recently (like today) have been diagnose with flu. I think receiving the vaccine aided in my symptoms. So I think getting the vaccine is important.
ReplyDeleteI think we should have a choice. Obviously, the strain that we have received is not effective against all of the strains that are out there. Hope you feel better.
DeleteSharon
Sue,
ReplyDeleteA great site to be able to discuss topics related to CVICU. It helps to share the opinion of others during stressful events, and to discuss what other hospitals are doing in their units. As far as the flu vaccine, I believe that we should have a choice. I mean we do not know if vendors, family and visitors have received the vaccine. I know they have the signs and masks at entrances, and most of them are not in direct patient contact. Alot of people come to work sick. We can still be carriers of the virus.