Stockton mum’s vaccine plea after losing baby to flu

A mom is urging dad and mom to get their youngsters vaccinated after shedding one in all her child twins to flu on Christmas Day.

In December, 15-month-old Louie and Vinnie Hughes have been positioned in induced comas as they fought to outlive the illness. Vinnie is now on the street to restoration however his brother couldn’t be saved.

Their mom Meg Hughes hopes his story will encourage others to vaccinate their youngsters and is asking for flu jabs or nasal sprays to be made obligatory.

“By no means in my life did I feel the reason for demise listed on my child’s demise certificates can be the flu,” she mentioned.

The twins, from Stockton-on-Tees, had gone from “power to power” since being born prematurely at simply 26 weeks and two days gestation.

Regardless of spending months in hospital from start they have been left with no main medical wants and have been thriving, blissful infants till they caught the flu, Ms Hughes mentioned.

“Louie was so smiley, he was a superb boy who’d come by way of every little thing,” she mentioned.

“He was the love of my life, however I do not wish to cry as a result of none of my reminiscences of him are unhappy.”

After contracting flu, the twins’ well being deteriorated rapidly and on Christmas Day, Louie’s coronary heart stopped.

Medics at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary did all they might to avoid wasting him and labored on him for 19 minutes earlier than he died, Ms Hughes mentioned.

“My arms really feel so empty now,” she added.

“He was the smallest twin and at all times appeared to want me probably the most, he at all times needed cuddles.”

Talking days after his demise, the heartbroken mom needs to make use of her son’s reminiscence to avoid wasting others.

She wish to see laws launched to make it obligatory for all youngsters to be totally vaccinated, together with a flu jab or nasal spray, earlier than they begin faculty.

The most recent statistics from the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) present fewer than half of college age youngsters throughout England obtained a flu jab this winter.

Infants beneath six months months are too younger to have the vaccine, however expectant moms can have it at any stage of their being pregnant.

“I’d encourage everybody to get their baby vaccinated if doable and I would prefer to see it made obligatory, because it may save a life,” Ms Hughes mentioned.

“Many individuals assume with youngsters that flu’s only a cough and a chilly that may be handled at dwelling, they do not realise how critical it may be.

“I hope listening to Louie’s title will assist others to get properly.”

A authorities spokesperson mentioned: “This can be a heartbreaking story and our ideas are with Meg and the remainder of Louie’s household.

“We commend her requires folks to take up the flu vaccine – it’s the easiest way to guard you and your family members.

“It’s vitally essential that everybody has their really useful vaccinations and youngsters aged two and older are routinely provided the flu jab.”