A mother from South Australia is sharing her tragic experience following her son Clive’s battle with influenza B, which resulted in permanent brain damage. Clive, only three years old and unvaccinated, is now in rehabilitation aiming to regain basic skills in speech and motor function. His mother, Monique Bussenschutt, described the harrowing moment they arrived at the hospital to find Clive unconscious, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of significant brain inflammation due to the flu.
Following five days of intensive care, medical professionals informed Bussenschutt that some neurological impairments could be lasting. Clive’s ongoing rehabilitation seeks to help him recover to his previous level of ability, but the family faces a challenging road ahead.
In light of this experience, Bussenschutt is advocating for increased flu vaccination among children. Her call to action coincides with the impending rollout of a new needle-free vaccination option, known as “flu mist.” This nasal spray vaccine will be available at no cost to children aged 2 to 5 starting next year in South Australia. Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier stated that the vaccine is designed to be easy to administer, as children need only have it sprayed into their nostrils to receive the dose.
Flu mist will be initially provided by general practitioners, with plans to expand the programme to schools in the future to enhance accessibility and encourage higher vaccination rates among children. Bussenschutt hopes that by sharing her son’s story, other families will recognise the importance of flu vaccinations in potentially preventing such devastating outcomes.