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Dimitri Aston & Brandon Williams: Influenza a Real Danger to Brothers Living with Asthma

By Janice Miller

Working at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Tyra Bryant Stephens sees firsthand how dangerous the influenza virus can be for her patients. This is especially true for patients at an increased risk for developing serious complications from the flu, such as those with chronic medical conditions like asthma.

That’s why Dr. Stephens recommends annual influenza vaccination as the best protection against the disease for all her patients, particularly those like brothers Brandon Williams, 12, and Dmitri Aston, 7, who both suffer from asthma.

Dr. Stephens, Brandon and Dmitri have joined the American Lung Association’s Faces of Influenza initiative to help put a “face” on this serious disease and urge all Pennsylvania residents to get vaccinated.

Rates of the flu are highest among children. Asthmatic children, in particular, face increased risks from influenza infections, yet approximately 70 percent are not immunized and go unprotected each year. These children are five times more likely than healthy children of the same age to be hospitalized with influenza-related illnesses.

Brandon and Dmitri’s mother, LaKisha, makes sure her entire family is vaccinated against influenza each and every year to protect her two sons from this potentially life-threatening disease and avoid spreading to the rest of her family. She knows the flu can worsen symptoms of asthma like wheezing, and make breathing even more difficult.

“As a parent, I’m really scared. Asthma can kill a child. When Dimitri and Brandon got the flu, their asthma got much worse. Now, I know that I can help protect my children by getting them vaccinated every year.”

Lakisha is amazed at how many parents fail to immunize their children.

“I recently had a friend - who has three kids with asthma - who said the influenza vaccine was just for older people. Everyone needs to know how important the vaccine is for children and to get their kids vaccinated, whether they have asthma or not.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates more than 4 out of 5 individuals should get vaccinated against influenza this year. On average, between 72,000 and 290,000 Pennsylvania residents will suffer from influenza, and immunization rates fall short each year.

The best way to prevent influenza is through annual vaccination. Flu activity usually peaks around February or March so there is plenty of time to protect yourself and your loved ones this season.

To learn more about influenza and vaccination, please visit www.facesofinfluenza.org.