WASHINGTON - s4story -- remember that flu, especially if not treated, can have other long-term serious health
impacts—including long-term respiratory illness, cognitive issues, and amputation."
Everyone aged 6 months and older is recommended to receive an annual flu shot. In the midst of National Influenza Awareness week (December 2-6 th ) Families Fighting
Flu (FFF) is reminding parents about the urgent need to protect children with
vaccinations that can prevent the spread of the flu.

The numbers of pediatric deaths in the previous flu season (2023-2024) continue to be
reported. The latest number is 206 deaths, the highest since the pre-pandemic season
of 2019-2020.

Two pediatric deaths have been reported already this year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outpatient visits for
Influenza Like Illnesses (ILI) are on the rise for age groups 0-4 and 5-24.

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"The number of pediatric deaths during last flu season is heartbreaking.  We can and
we must do better to protect our youngest and most vulnerable family members with
vaccination," said Michele Slafkosky, Executive Director of FFF. "It's also important to remember that flu, especially if not treated, can have other long-term serious health
impacts—including long-term respiratory illness, cognitive issues, and amputation."
Everyone aged 6 months and older is recommended to receive an annual flu shot.

Family members and survivors from across the U.S. are available for interviews—for
example:

Florida:
Kaitlyn Covert: Cousin of Amanda Kantowitz who died of the flu, Kaitlyn contracted the
flu in October 2024 and was hospitalized twice. A freshman at the University of Florida,
she is an active member of the FFF Junior Board. (Gainsville)
Madi Allen was an active 12-year-old when she contracted the flu. She spent more than
90 days in the hospital and was given a 1 percent chance of survival. She now lives in

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Florida and is working in a pulmonologist's office, starting to administer the flu shot to
her patients. (Tampa)
Michigan:
Michele and Kaden Stevenson
Now 9 years old, Kaden survived the flu, but both of his legs had to be amputated as a
result of the infection in his bloodstream that the flu caused. (Flint)
Missouri:
Charlie Hinderlighter, a flu survivor from St. Louis caught the flu when he was 38. He
ended up in the hospital for nearly two months and had months of recovery following
that at the same nursing home as his grandmother.

Other families with similar stories are available for interviews in the following states:

CT, IA, IL, KY, NJ, NM, NY, OR, PA, SD, VA
Please inquire with Jen Daly for more information.

Kids Flu Symptom Progression | The Kanowitz Family (https://www.familiesfightingflu.org/family-story/the-kanowitz-family/)