Texas mother who lost daughter to flu shares importance of getting vaccinated

Health officials are urging people 6 months and older to roll up their sleeves for the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine during the so-called “Twindemic” season.

SINTON, Texas – RoxxAnn Pena never imagined she would wake up to such tragedy and grief on the morning of Dec. 13, 2013.

“My daughter went to bed the night before and didn’t wake up the next morning. We were all baffled by what could have happened, why this normally lively and energetic little girl would have passed away so suddenly,” Pena said.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Reese Pena was a healthy, active toddler who sometimes suffered from febrile seizures when she had a fever.

Reese’s death was attributed to influenza B, which doctors say attacked his heart.

RoxxAnn noted that Reese was not vaccinated against the flu.

“As a mother, I did not find it very relevant that no one was forcing me to have her vaccinated. It was optional and I wasn’t going to put my daughter through a few minutes of discomfort,” she said.

The latest data from the CDC reveals that about 20,000 Americans died from the flu during the 2019-2020 season.

ENT specialist Dr Kevin Taheri noted that it is crucial for people six months and older to consider the flu shot, especially at a time when the world is already dealing with the spread of the coronavirus.

“We’ve certainly seen the numbers increase, both anecdotally and in hospital, of those being admitted with the flu and the last thing we really want to avoid is having a double infection with the flu and COVID-19, Taheri says.

RoxxAnn and her family made it an annual tradition to get vaccinated after Reese’s death. She also serves as a spokesperson to educate others about the importance of getting the flu shot to save lives through the platform provided by the national nonprofit Families Fighting Flu.

“It can happen to you just as easily and I really hope it never happens to anyone else and that’s why I’m really trying to advocate for the flu shot to prevent people from getting to experience what our family has experienced.”

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