- Zack Yaksich
Father Who Lost His 5-year-old Daughter to Influenza-related Complications
- “Parents need to know that it's so important to get their family vaccinated against influenza every single year,” Zack Yaksich said. “My family has joined the American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza program to help send out this important message.”
In February 2003, tragedy struck Zack and his family when his 5-year-old daughter Alana passed away in the hospital because of complications of influenza. Alana had not been vaccinated against the disease, but Zack and his wife now make sure their entire family gets immunized every year. They also work to educate others about the importance of getting vaccinated, especially for children, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded its annual pediatric vaccination recommendations to include all children 6 months-18 years of age.1
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