Mary Edging and Jimmy Vernon, the grieving parents of 9-year-old Madeline Vernon, are facing the heartbreaking task of laying their beloved daughter to rest. Madeline tragically passed away last month due to severe flu complications.
On Tuesday morning, January 28, Madeline woke up with a fever of 104.9 degrees, according to her mother, Mary Edging. "We took her back to urgent care because I had taken her to the hospital the night before, and her lung was nothing but infection," Edging recounted. Sadly, Madeline succumbed to her illness the following day, on January 29. The family remembers her as an outgoing child who loved playing sports.
"I literally feel like my heart has been ripped in half. I lost, I literally lost a piece of me," Edging shared, capturing the profound grief the family is experiencing.
Dr. Daniel Park, the medical director of the pediatric emergency department at UNC Medical Center, described Madeline's death as a tragedy. Speaking to WRAL News, Dr. Park explained that we are currently at the peak of flu season, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "The flu is at the highest level it's been at in 15 years," he stated.
Dr. Park emphasized that those who are very young, very old, or have chronic medical conditions are at a much higher risk of severe illness. "Those who are immunocompromised or have a chronic medical condition and are technology dependent, meaning they have tracheotomy tubes or are ventilator dependent, are particularly vulnerable," Park highlighted. He strongly encourages everyone aged 6 months and older to take preventive measures.
"Prevention is huge," said Dr. Park. "It is not too late to get the flu vaccine, even in the middle of flu season. It's never too late to get the flu vaccine." Mary Edging echoed this advice, noting that her daughter did not receive the flu vaccine and urging others to ensure their children are vaccinated.
Madeline Vernon's death is part of a concerning trend, as the state reports that two children between the ages of 5 and 17 have died from the flu this season in North Carolina. In the past year, the state has seen more than 300 flu-related deaths, including 16 children.
Studies show that getting the flu vaccine can lower your chances of contracting the flu by 50%. This year's vaccine provides coverage against two influenza A viruses and influenza B, underscoring the importance of vaccination in protecting public health.
