A mother and a doctor were shocked and heartbroken after the death of her healthy 4-year-old son two days after the onset of flu symptoms.

Leon Sidari died on Christmas morning last year.

He was to receive his flu shot at a health check a few days later, said his mother, Laura Sidari. The boy was known for his contagious smile and sweetness.

"The influenza vaccine fell into my hands as I took care of my big family at a busy time in the year," she told USA TODAY. "I feel compassion for this to happen for many other excellent and intelligent parents as well."

The symptoms she had noticed in her son's life before that day were almost common: fever and body aches. However, a few hours later, her son, who rarely fell ill, was having trouble breathing, when Sidari said that she had led him to the emergency. He had bacterial pneumonia and flu, the doctors told him.

"At the hospital, there came a time when my brain knew my son was dying, but my heart just did not do it," she said. People. "During my medical training, I remember similar moments in the context of critical care, where death was approaching like a train heading for its final destination. However, as a mother, nothing can prepare you to watch your child die.

More: Unvaccinated child dies of flu in Florida, say public health officials

Today, Sidari, who lives in Ohio, urges other families to be proactive in getting flu shots as soon as possible. She recently shared a photo of her husband, also a military doctor, and their younger sons, Tristan, 2, and Cameron, 11 months, after receiving their vaccine this year.

"Leon is my reason this season and every season to get flu shot on time," Sidari said.

She encourages others to share their flu photos with the #FluShotsForLeon hashtag.

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