It is with great sadness I note the passing of Victoria Sousa, the 12-year-old Rhode Islander who died from swine flu earlier this week. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
It’s clear this flu targets the young. I’m glad the state H1N1 vaccination plan will begin on Monday, November 2; it will do much to keep our children safe and healthy.
As the vaccine becomes available, parents must do their part by giving permission to take part in the school vaccination clinics, and by taking young children not yet in school to their pediatrician for the vaccine.
Just this morning I had a conversation with a mother who wasn’t sure about vaccinating her 4-year-old child. I told her about my mother, who contracted polio as a teen and has lived with the resulting health issues her entire adult life. My mom made sure I got the polio vaccine right away, even though it was still relatively new.
There will soon be a means to avoid H1N1 and its generally mild but potentially dangerous effects—take advantage of it as it becomes available.