Campuses Ravaged by Flu: Why Vaccination Matters Now More Than Ever

Johnny Stein, a senior at Purdue University, and Katie Stein, a sophomore at Indiana University, are volunteers with Families Fighting Flu. According to a recent press release they co-wrote, they are advocating for increased flu vaccination awareness on college campuses across the country as both students have unfortunately experienced firsthand how devastating the flu can be.

This semester, college campuses nationwide have been impacted by widespread flu outbreaks, resulting in canceled classes, empty sporting events, and students missing critical academic and social activities. For Johnny and Katie, the current flu season hits especially close to home—flu is not just a seasonal illness; it is deeply personal.

Before they were born, Johnny and Katie’s parents lost their sister Jessica to the flu when she was only four years old. Jessica and their older brother, Eric, contracted the flu virus, which had been circulating through their preschool. While Eric recovered after a few days, Jessica’s condition worsened, leading their parents to seek medical care. It was there that doctors discovered Jessica’s heart was enlarged. Despite attempts to revive her, Jessica’s heart stopped, and she tragically passed away.

This heartbreaking loss has shaped the family’s life and fueled Johnny and Katie’s advocacy for flu prevention. In response to their grief, their parents, along with other parents who had lost children to the flu, founded Families Fighting Flu. The organization, now a nationwide movement, aims to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies. One of the key areas of focus for the organization is flu vaccination, as it was a lack of flu vaccine recommendations for children that contributed to Jessica’s death.

“At the time, neither Jessica nor Eric was eligible for the flu vaccine,” said Johnny and Katie in a statement. “Our parents didn’t oppose vaccines, but children their age were not recommended to receive it. Families Fighting Flu, along with other families, helped bring awareness to the need for broader flu vaccine recommendations. Our family’s story played a significant role in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updating its flu vaccine guidelines to recommend annual flu shots for everyone six months and older.”

Flu vaccination has since become an essential part of Johnny and Katie’s routine, but they’re aware that many of their classmates do not share the same mindset.

“It’s frustrating to know that so much of the illness spreading on campus and across the country could be prevented,” they said. “We are witnessing the real-life consequences of flu season—not just missed classes or sporting events, but long-term health issues like cognitive and mental health complications, lung damage, and even amputations.”

Johnny and Katie are dedicated to sharing their story with their peers to raise awareness about the severity of the flu and its potential consequences. They urge everyone to get vaccinated, emphasizing that it’s never too late, even as spring break approaches.

“Whether you’re heading home or going on a trip, getting your flu shot should be part of the plan,” they said. “You don’t want to bring the flu with you, and you certainly don’t want to risk your health.”

Johnny and Katie also referenced their friend Kaitlyn, a freshman at the University of Florida, who nearly lost her life to the flu in October. “It’s easy to think you’re invincible when you’re our age, but the flu doesn’t discriminate,” they said. “It can affect anyone, regardless of age, and its impact can be severe.”

As students at major universities, Johnny and Katie continue to urge their peers to protect themselves and others by getting vaccinated against the flu.