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A Colorado mom loses her son to influenza and urges everyone to get a flu vaccination

DENVER— Regina Booth, a grieving mother from Rifle, lost her 17-year-old son Austin to complications from the flu in January of this year. Booth is joining the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment this year in urging everyone to get vaccinated against the flu.

Booth said, “I wish I could rewind to before this nightmare began. The first thing I would do is get my children, my husband and myself vaccinated against the flu. Austin was an amazing son, student, athlete, friend and big brother to two sisters and two brothers who idolized him. Believe me, when someone says, ‘I don’t know how you do it, I just can’t imagine,’ you don’t want to imagine it. It is so terrible to wake up every day without your child.”

Booth will not have her son at home for the holidays this year, but said others don’t have to experience the same tragedy. “If I could give any advice from my experience, I would tell all parents to vaccinate their children against the flu,” she said.

Dr. Chris Urbina, the state’s chief medical officer and executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said, holiday gatherings create the perfect environment for passing the flu. “While families and friends are sharing hugs and stories, they also are sharing the flu virus. A flu vaccination can prevent the flu from becoming a holiday misery, or even worse, a tragedy because of the loss of a loved one.”

Urbina said families need to be flu smart and get a flu vaccination so that everyone is safe from the disease, especially those at higher risk, including the elderly, infants and people with immune-compromised systems.

He advised individuals, if possible, not to travel if they are sick and to get a flu vaccination prior to traveling, especially if they are at high risk. For those who will be traveling for the holidays, he provided the following flu prevention practices:

• When traveling, bring small bottles of antibacterial lotion or wipes and use them frequently to wipe your hands, especially after touching door knobs or other surfaces considered, “germ magnets,” such as public drinking water fountains.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• To protect others, always cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue.
• Get enough sleep, drink plenty of fluids and take rest breaks during the busy holiday season to avoid stress and fatigue.

To locate a flu clinic near you, visit www.immunizecolorado.com. Individuals with flu questions may call CO HELP at 1-877-462-2911.