@ slvrldy It is important for the public to know that she was not vaccinated because of who may have been in contact with her after she came into contact with the flu and before she started showing symptoms. If a child under 6 months of age was in the contact with her, the parents need to take that child to the doctor and watch the baby for symptoms. Children under 6 months old are unable to get the flu shot and don't even have a choice to get protected.

@slvrldy: The media reported that the child was not immunized as a warning to OTHER PARENTS who have NOT IMMUNIZED their children and to have them immunized. This has nothing to do with blame anymore than blaming God for deadly weather conditions like hurricanes. Placing blame on some one or some thing will not resolved any thing. The crux of this news article is to get parents to immunize their children and themselves. Get immunized today!!!!!

How terribly sad! There is no way of knowing whether or not the vaccine would have fought against that particular strain, even the very BEST of medical care is not an absolute. They call it 'practicing' medicine, not 'conducting medicine' because nothing is for certain, and there are no 'guarantees'. Maybe these parents didn't HAVE a good insurance that 'covers' free flue shots, maybe their schedules conflicted with the availability of 'free' shot clinics. Oh yes ... NOW the Health Department is making available $9 shots. But please don't assume that this type of availability of shots, had been made at a time when her parents were able to attend. Even now, there are only 'over 1,000 doses available'. Does this mean 1,001? 1,999? You'd be surprised at how fast even 5,000 doses can be depleted, so if your children are in need, please try and get there early. I hope the public isn't quick to criticize these parents. They are in mourning, and should have the SYMPATHY of the community. I am appalled at the media for bringing up the fact that she had not been given a flu shot. Number one, it opens for consideration, the possibility of parental neglect when there is no cause for it. Number two, that is PRIVATE medical information, bringing it up, in my opinion, is both a violation of her right to privacy, and sensationalism. My deepest sympathy go out to the family of this little girl, and her friends as well. I pray they can take comfort in the knowledge that this separation will be 'temporary, and the certainty of a reunion in Paradise.

@ROGUE & @Paranah: You might find the information you are seeking at Stanford University. This is where the little girl was flown to from Bakersfield and she died a few hours later at Stanford’s medical facility. Protective orders are worthless pieces of paper to some people, and you may find what you are looking for there.

Strain "A"...really? Which version of A are they talking about...there are LOT's of sub strains found under "A"...Nice reporting, the shot may not have even covered this particular strain!

"School officials say the 9-year-old girl was considered healthy with no underlying health conditions". How can the school disclose the girl's health with the media, yet Taft school can not discuss past disciplinary actions against the victim and attacker at the school recently claiming state school privacy laws?