Richard and Alissa Kanowitz
Parents of Amanda Kanowitz, Who Died from Influenza-Related Complications at Age 4
On the morning of February 28, 2004, 4-year-old Amanda Kanowitz developed a cough and moderate fever. By the next morning, she was vomiting, but her parents Richard and Alissa kept an eye on her and expected her symptoms to improve and go away.
By that evening, however, Amanda grew increasingly weak and her lips appeared gray. A call to the doctor eased their fears. He told them that as long as Amanda was kept hydrated with little sips of water, she'd get better and be okay.
Around 3 a.m. the next morning, Amanda awoke complaining of thirst and a stomach ache. A glass of water and a trip to the bathroom seemed to help, and she returned to bed.
However, when the family woke up at 7:30 a.m., Amanda's parents found her lifeless in bed. Amanda had been stricken with influenza—a vaccine-preventable disease.
“Amanda wasn't vaccinated against influenza. The vaccine wasn't recommended for children 6 to 59 months of age at the time,” said Richard.
In 2006, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new pediatric influenza immunization recommendations to target all children 6 to 59 months of age.1 The recommendations were also expanded for all household contacts of children in this age group to be immunized against influenza.1
In their grief, Amanda's parents formed the Amanda Kanowitz Foundation (www.amandakfoundation.org), which supports research to identify whether certain children should be considered high-risk for extreme reactions to influenza and other respiratory diseases.
They are also involved with Families Fighting Flu, an organization of families and pediatricians who have experienced firsthand the effects of influenza. Richard serves as president of the organization.
“I think people need to understand there are huge benefits to receiving the influenza vaccine,” said Richard. “Amanda was the perfect little child, and she was taken away from us because of a virus that could have been prevented by vaccination.”