Colleyville Family Said Flu Shot Could've Save Daughter's Life
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COLLEYVILE (CBSDFW.COM) - Emily Lastinger was a happy and rambunctious little girl. Her family thinks about her every day.
Emily was 3 and half years old when she passed away at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth in February of 2004.
"We were shocked honestly," says Emily's father Joe Lastinger "Emily went from being very healthy to passing away in five days."
Joe Lastinger remembers taking her to the doctor and tests determining that Emily had the flu.
Ten years ago flu shots weren't recommended for healthy toddlers. Emily hadn't gotten a shot.
"That would have saved Emily's life," says Joe.
After Emily's death her family reached out to the Centers for Disease Control.
The Lastinger's along with other families pushed for changes.
Slowly the CDC implemented universal flu shot recommendations and expanded the recommendations for all children to get the flu shot.
Dr. Kim Mangham with Cook Children' says she's already seeing children who haven't gotten the flu shot.
"We know the best way to protect against the flu is to get the flu shot," says Dr. Mangham "The decision not to immunize is a decision that could be very detrimental for your child."
The Texas Department of State Health Services says there were 20 pediatric flu deaths last year.
Also, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Journal last year 107 children died from the flu nationwide with 47% of kids being healthy and a majority of them didn't get a flu shot.
The Lastinger's have spent a decade sharing their story.
This year Emily would have been a freshmen in high school.
"Part of what we hope we are doing in Emily's name - we are helping parents and help save kids' lives and that means a lot to us," says Joe.
The Lastinger's have formed a non-profit and are now working with other parents on flu education.
Pediatricians at Cook Children's say if you have any concerns about the flu shot then talk to your doctor.
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