Woman Credits Flu Vaccine for Life-Saving Intervention

A woman from Middlesbrough, Claire Davies, is urging the public to receive their flu vaccinations after a severe bout of the virus left her requiring a double lung transplant. Claire, who was clinically vulnerable due to pre-existing lung conditions, believes that without the vaccine, she would not have survived her illness in 2022.

Reflecting on her experience, Claire, now 40 years old, stated, “I have no doubt in my mind that if I hadn’t had the vaccine I wouldn’t be here now. It literally saved my life.” Diagnosed with two lung conditions in childhood, Claire has relied on inhalers, nebulisers, and physiotherapy to manage her health. Despite these challenges, she pursued a career as a nurse and consistently received her flu jab to protect herself from viruses.

In 2022, Claire contracted the flu, which overwhelmed her system and led to a three-month hospital stay. “I was struggling to breathe so much that I had to go to hospital and ended up there for three months on oxygen and medication to help keep me alive,” she explained. At one point, doctors informed her that her oxygen levels were critically low, putting her at risk of death.

The flu inflicted severe damage to Claire’s lungs, leaving her with only 30% capacity. Upon her discharge from the hospital, she faced the reality of needing a double lung transplant, for which she is currently on the waiting list. “My life has changed completely,” she shared, now working from home in a desk-based role focused on patient experience.

As flu cases rise across the UK, Claire’s story emphasizes the importance of vaccination, especially for vulnerable individuals. Recent data indicates that hospital admissions for flu have quadrupled compared to the same period last year. In response, staff at The James Cook University Hospital and University Hospital of North Tees have begun wearing masks in certain wards to protect their most vulnerable patients.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, a newly mutated strain of the influenza virus is contributing to the surge in cases. In the week ending November 20, 2023, the average number of hospitalised flu patients reached a record high of 1,717. In Claire’s local area, the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust reported an average of 26 flu patients, while South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recorded an average of 17.

Sarah Sleet, CEO of Asthma + Lung UK, warned about the increasing flu rates, stating, “Flu rates are soaring as a newly-mutated variant is rapidly spreading across the country.” She highlighted the risks for individuals with pre-existing conditions, noting that those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are seven times more likely to die from flu compared to healthy individuals.

Sleet emphasized the critical role of vaccination, stating, “The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to get vaccinated. The vaccine not only reduces your chance of catching flu but also the severity of symptoms.” The charity also advises individuals with lung conditions to consider wearing masks in crowded or indoor spaces to further reduce their risk.

Claire now actively encourages others to get vaccinated, particularly those with existing health issues. “A lot of people don’t have the flu jab as they think, ‘Oh, it’s just flu, I’ll be fine,’ but flu can be deadly, especially for those with pre-existing lung conditions like me,” she cautioned. She firmly believes that without the vaccine, her outcome would have been drastically different.

For more information on flu vaccinations, individuals can visit the NHS website to book an appointment.