Unvaccinated teacher, 41, battling cancer, dies from Covid after doctor told her not to get shot

A teacher from Florida battling leukemia died of complications from Covid-19 after her family said she followed her doctor’s advice and did not get vaccinated.

Kelly Peterson, 41, of Polk County, Fla., Who worked at Lake Shipp Elementary School, was on treatment for leukemia when his doctor advised him not to get the vaccine, according to his family.

“Because her leukemia was so severe at this point, their concern was that receiving the vaccine could potentially put too much stress on her body,” her sister Christy Peterson told Fox 2 FTVU.

“She had repeatedly expressed fear that if she contracted Covid she was afraid it would kill her – unfortunately, that is what happened.”

Kelly Peterson, 41, of Polk County, Fla., Died of COVID-19 after returning to teach in person at Lake Shipp Elementary School, where her family believe she caught the virus

Polk County has called on its teachers to return to class, according to state regulations, meaning Peterson – a fifth-grade science teacher – had to return as well.

After teaching virtually for a year, Peterson, whose immune system is weakened due to his cancer treatment, took extra precautions to ensure his classroom was disinfected regularly and wore a mask.

Polk County – Florida’s seventh largest school district – does not have a mask mandate, but “strongly recommends” that students wear one.

“She gave everything she had for them every day. She treated each of them like they were her own children, ”her sister told Fox.

Peterson had leukemia and his doctors advised him to give up the vaccine. The vaccine’s effectiveness could potentially decrease in those with weakened immune systems, however, the CDC still recommends that cancer patients and survivors receive the vaccine.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Christy said, “The world will never be the same, early this morning Kelly Peterson earned her angel wings.” She said Peterson died “peacefully” and “did not suffer.”

Peterson was one of the few groups where doctors could recommend against getting the shot. People who are immunocompromised, who have had allergic reactions to vaccines in the past or who are hypersensitive should consult their doctor before being vaccinated.

In a post honoring her sister, Christy said “the world will never be the same again” and told Fox that her sister “treated her students like her own”

Peterson’s cancer treatment left her immunocompromised, which could potentially reduce the vaccine response.

The CDC recommends that people who are immunocompromised receive a third dose – if they receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine – four weeks after receiving the second injection. This is the only group for which the CDC recommends this option at this time.

The CDC, however, recommends that cancer patients and survivors get the vaccine.