Post by @lydiaschoch@mastodon.social

2026-09-28 01:04 UTC

Regarding my last toot, a good family friend who was young, healthy, and had no risk factors for complications caught the flu last winter and ended up being hospitalized with pneumonia from it and then needed to be hospitalized again due to another secondary infection. He was not vaccinated, and his recovery was painfully long and slow. We are so grateful that he’s still with us and doing well now. Influenza is nothing to mess around with no matter who you are. #Influenza #Vaccines

Replies (2)

@JustinDerrick@mstdn.ca 2026-09-28 02:05

@lydiaschoch@mastodon.social In 2000, I attended a funeral for a friend who died of the flu in his mid-20’s. He was young, healthy, smart, funny and kind. He went home, sick, on a Friday morning. On Tuesday after having not been heard from for 4 days, police were called and he was found in bed. I try my best to get my flu shots and vaccines on time each year.

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@lydiaschoch@mastodon.social 2026-09-28 01:11

This toot should in no way be interpreted to mean that it’s somehow less tragic when people who do have underlying health problems have serious complications from the flu. I know far too many people who think they don’t need a flu shot because they eat a healthy diet, exercise, wash their hands, or wear a mask. While these are all great habits, they’re not a substitute for your annual flu shot. The more layers of protection we all have, the better.

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