A mother-of-two who became the latest victim of the flu epidemic that’s sweeping across Australia died despite being vaccinated, it has emerged.
Jennifer Thew, Gungahlin in the ACT, fought a week-long battle against the virus alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Estella.
Ms Thew, who moved to Australia from Germany, died from acute respiratory distress syndrome amid the worst flu season the ACT’s seen in five years.
This is despite the fact that Ms Thew, who was working as a medical receptionist from Canberra, had been vaccinated against flu, according to the Daily Telegraph.
A mother-of-two who became the latest victim of the flu epidemic that’s sweeping across Australia died despite being vaccinated
Australia’s disastrous influenza season claimed another victim over the weekend—mother-of-two, Jennifer Thew (pictured)
Ms Thew was reportedly known throughout the community to have always put the needs of her children first, even in the week leading up to her heartbreaking death.
‘She always went above and beyond for those around her,’ someone close to the loving mother told the Telegraph.
Her daughter’s dance school has established a Go Fund Me account in support of the family and offered Estella free tuition for the final term.
The horror season has swept the nation with more than 137,500 influenza cases confirmed up to the start of September.
In a statement on Tuesday, the heartbroken family said: ‘Jen was a beautiful, gentle soul and, above all, the most devoted mother.
‘We are absolutely heartbroken that she has been taken from us in such cruel circumstances.’
The Canberra medical receptionist from Gungahlin passed away following a week-long battle with the virus, which she fought alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Estella (pictured)
The amount is more than double the 53,159 cases of the same time last year and more than the total amount, 83,092, for the entire season of 2016.
New South Wales has the most reported cases nationwide by the September 1, with 70,000 people affected.
More than 35,000 cases had been confirmed in Queensland, and at least 13,000 cases have been reported in Victoria, leading to a national shortage in the anti-viral drug, Tamiflu.
An eight-year-old girl passed away in the Melbourne suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully earlier in the month.
An eight-year-old girl passed away in the Melbourne suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully at the Angliss Hospital (pictured) earlier in the month
Her death followed the passing of a 30-year-old Victorian bottle shop worker, who died on what was to be his first Father’s Day as a parent.
Ben Ihlow tragically died on September 3 after a week-long battle with the flu, leaving behind his wife, Samantha and 10-month-old son, Andrew.
The father-to-be was suffering from a ‘bit of a bug’ in the week beforehand, then was taken to hospital on Friday before tragically dying on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a 33-year-old is in a critical condition at Alfred Hospital, Victoria, and is yet to hold her baby boy, who was born August 28.
Ben Ihlow (pictured) tragically died on September 3 after a week-long battle with the flu, leaving behind his wife, Samantha and 10-month-old son, Andrew
The father-to-be was suffering from a ‘bit of a bug’ in the week beforehand, then was taken to hospital on Friday before tragically dying on Sunday
Sarah and Rob Hawthorn’s son was delivered six weeks early to give Mrs Hawthorn a fighting chance at survival.
The Cobram mother, north of Victoria, caught the flu in her later stages of pregnancy, which has lead to other serious medical conditions.
The Australian Medical Association says cases of influenza could be expected for at least the next two months.
Australians exceeding 80-years-old, along with children between ages five to nine, have been the worst affected.
33-year-old Sarah Hawthorn (pictured) is in a critical condition at Alfred Hospital, Victoria, and is yet to hold her baby boy, who was born August 28
Sarah and Rob Hawthorn’s son was delivered six weeks early to give Mrs Hawthorn a fighting chance at survival