Girl's Parents Encourage Flu Shots

By Craig Day, The News On 6

SKIATOOK, OK -- Flu season is here again.  It usually runs from October through May.  In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated.  But the Centers for Disease Control is urging all children, six months and older, to get the vaccine.  Some Green Country parents are big advocates of the vaccine.

Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 have to go to the hospital because of influenza complications.  A Skiatook family knows that first hand after their little girl nearly died.

Looking at Savana Duede, she's just like any other three-year-old little girl.  She has a beautiful laugh and smile and she is full of fun.  But, her dad, John, and Mom, Treva, call her a miracle.

"I'm very blessed to have her here today.  I don't take a minute for granted," said Treva Duede.

Her mom says last February, Savana was happy and healthy and in gymnastics one day.  One week later, her daughter was on a heart-lung bypass machine.

"Literally within a blink of an eye your whole world is turned upside down," said Treva Duede.

Savana was diagnosed with the flu and that led to pneumonia.

"Basically her lungs couldn't oxygenate because of the pneumonia," said Treva Duede.

Savana ended up losing one-third of her right lung and 40% of her lung capacity in her left lung.  She ended up spending 72 days in the hospital.

"They could never, they could never answer us that we were ever going to be able to take her home," said Treva Duede.

Savana was even a candidate for a double lung transplant, which wasn't needed after all when her condition improved.  But, she still faces another surgery in St. Louis on her paralyzed diaphragm.

The Duedes believe what has happened to them can happen to others.  They say everyone should get a flu shot, not just the very young or elderly.

"It can hit everybody and anybody," said Treva Duede.

While her parents still have to be careful to limit Savana's exposure to germs, they're just glad she's home and doing better.

"She is our miracle.  She is our miracle," said Treva Duede.

Each year about 60 million Americans get the flu, resulting in 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 people hospitalized.

A flu shot will generally help for a year.