COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In the earliest stage of the H1N1 influenza crisis, the warning was issued for medically fragile children.
That's why it's shocking to learn that no provisions have been made to the children who are at the greatest risk -- those facing the most severe medical challenges.
Linda Eckfeld knows how to care for medically fragile children and she knows how vulnerable a child with a weakened immune system can be to even a simple virus.
She and her husband have adopted more than 20 special needs children over the years. So when she heard about H1N1, she tried to find out how to get the vaccine for her children.
The Franklin County Health Department told Eckfeld that she would have to transport her children to a public clinic, but that's impossible.
"What I found is there are no provisions, that this entire population has been overlooked and hadn't even been thought about and that's a pretty big concern -- not only for my children, but for the thousands of children and adults across the state that really need to have this vaccine and can't get it," Eckfeld said.
Eckfeld said there are 13,000 children who are homebound and medically fragile who can't stand in long lines at H1N1 vaccination clinics.
She hit a brick wall at each state agency she approached until she asked the chief of staff at the state health department about children who are homebound. Eckfeld said he told her no one had even thought about it.
"You have already identified this population as being at risk and yet you haven't even thought about how they are going to get the immunization -- along with their caregivers," she said. "Maybe a single mom who is at home caring for her child, she can't go to these clinic sites to get immunization for herself, ultimately protecting her child and I just couldn't believe that this wasn't even a thought."
For Eckfeld and the children she loves, it's too late.
H1N1 influenza raced through her home. Five of the nurses who help her and 13 of her children contracted the H1N1 virus. Her son, Caleb, died.
"Caleb was our first child that had a trach and really required total care. Caleb far outlived others' expectations, but I think his dad and I thought he would live forever," she said. "His gift to our family and probably everybody who knew him was his patience. He taught us how to be patient."
Now, Eckfeld said she hopes Caleb's final gift is the development of a system to get the vaccine to children like him.
"I believe if he can get the word out, then he will be honored in that way," she said.
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