1. Heartache to Helping Others
Flu Vaccine and Awareness
By Barbara Krajenke
In the middle of the night on Feb. 1, 2003 Alana Yaksich’s parents called the
pediatrician, hung up the phone and called the ambulance.
It was a seemingly ordinary day. Alana had pizza and ice cream for dinner and was
chasing her brothers around. Earlier she had a low-grade fever, 99 degrees and not much
of an appetite. But as the day went on she seemed to get better and was acting her usual
self.
“(Alana) was a spitfire. Her smile would light up the room, whether at school or at home.
She had magnetism about her. She was a very caring individual always conscious about
others’ feelings. She was our pride and joy,” describes Alana’s father, Zack Yaksich.
A half and hour after Alana went to bed she woke up vomiting and had a fever of 106.
Alana, 5 ½ years old, died the next day of influenza related complications, which caused
swelling and injury to her brain.
Yaksich truly believes his daughter would be alive today if she had the flu vaccine.
But at the time of Alana’s death the Center for Disease Control, (CDC) recommended
infants six months to 23 months be vaccinated for the flu virus. It was recommended
people two years and older should be vaccinated if they had existing health
complications.
Yet Alana was a healthy child. The flu manifested itself in a deathly toll overnight. “We
didn’t have the opportunity for someone to say to us, children are not of age
recommendation, but here are the risks,’ said Yaksich.
Some of the fondest memoires Alana’s father has is taking her to school, going to her
class when they had special persons day, treating her to ice cream, putting her to bed and
reading to her.
Yaksich and his family are inspired by the memory of Alana into helping others. They
formed the Alana’s Foundation in 2009 —a nonprofit organization to inform parents and
the public of the severity of the flu virus and protection through flu vaccinations.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness, with symptoms including cough, sore throat,
runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue accompanied with or
without a fever. More common in children is vomiting and diarrhea. The flu is contagious
one day before symptoms appear and five to seven days after contracting the virus.

2. It is estimated that 200,000 people are hospitalized each year due to flu related illness,
accounting for thousands of deaths per year. The CDC reports that 171 children died in
the 2012-2013-flu season due to the flu or complications of the flu — rising from 35 the
previous season. A large number of those deaths, 40 percent, were from children who did
not have previous diagnosed health issues. It is also estimated that 20,000 children
younger than five years old are hospitalized each year from flu complications such as
pneumonia.
Since 2008, the CDC recommends children 6 months to 18 years receive the flu
vaccination, yet vaccination for children remains seemingly low.
Dr Matthew Sims, director of infectious disease at Beaumont Hospital, recommends
everyone six months and on to get the flu vaccine every year, especially since H1N1
appeared in 2009. “The flu vaccine lasts six to eight months and mutates into other
viruses. There are two basic ways it mutates — that’s why we have a new vaccine every
year. In can mutate in small ways, autogenic drift and can also combine with other flu
viruses, autogenic shift, that is why it has to be every year.”
Dr. Matthew Sims is currently working on research to develop a drug to combat the flu.
Previous research has discovered that younger generations are having a harder time with
influenza, specifically 20-40 year olds because they are less likely to get vaccinated. It is
also being discovered that older generations who have been exposed to multiple flu
viruses may have acquired the antibody to help them recover or prevent them from
getting the flu.
Dr. Sims explains how preexisting medical conditions, such as pulmonary disease can
make you vulnerable to the flu. The flu also makes you vulnerable to other infections
such as bacterial phenomena and staff phenomena. The CDC states that the flu can also
cause ear and sinus infections, dehydration and the worsening of chronic medical
conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma and diabetes.
The Alana’s Foundation focuses on flu virus and vaccination awareness by holding
annual vaccine clinics and educating people through PTA groups, schools and health
organizations. “(Alana’s Foundation) is putting a name and a face with the tragedy.
Before I was guilty of using flu as a general term. But the flu is a very, very serious
illness, but it’s preventable by simply getting a shot,” said Yaksich.
Yaksich tells parents, anytime you are in doubt about the health of your child, speak to a
doctor and err on the side of caution. It is important for both parents and children to get
vaccinated to prevent the virus from coming into the home.
Yaksich and Dr. Sims agree that part of influenza awareness is protecting others. The best
way to do that is through vaccination and to stay home if you have the flu. “The fact of
the matter is the flu virus is airborne. It is a public health issue. Get the flu shot. When
you’re sick—stay home. Protect yourself and protect others,” said Dr. Sims.

3. The Alana’s Foundation not only educates on influenza awareness and vaccination, it is
also proactive in supporting public health by providing free medical clinics offering the
vaccine for the homeless, underinsured and uninsured.
The foundation is also collaborating on a pilot project, partnering with Health Heroes, a
nonprofit organization dedicated to providing vaccines and immunizations in school
districts on a large scale. Health Heroes has expanded to several states going into 100
schools using the flu mist which is squirted up the nose, vaccinating hundreds of kids
within a couple of hours. This pilot project is completely free to schools and parents,
covering the cost of those who don’t have insurance while covering faculty and parents.
The school located pilot clinics in Mich. currently include Bloomfield Hills Schools and
26 schools in the L’Anse Cruse school district. The Alana’s Foundation and Health
Heroes partnership hopes to have a total of 100 schools for this year’s program.
“At least 26 schools we can go to. Hoping in three to four years to be across the state to
make vaccines convenient and affordable — (Clinics) in grade schools and high schools.
Working into getting into colleges —who have the lowest vaccination rate,” said
Yaksich.
Starting in September Beaumont will be offering the flu vaccine. Beaumont also will
provide a webpage and hotline during the flu season.
“I can’t emphasize enough (flu vaccine) to protect themselves and children from
something so tragic. Can be protected with something so simple. No reason another
family should have to endure that.”
For more information about Flu vaccine awareness and fundraising events visit
alanasfoundation.org