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Campaign for flu vaccination after death of Devon boy

Coby was just 9 years old he when died earlier this year

The NHS and Public Health England have launched a new campaign encouraging people to get their flu vaccination. 

The face of the campaign is 9 year old Coby from Cranbrook. He died on the 24th of January this year after getting flu. 

His parents, Louise and Jamie, wanted to do something to help others. Working with health professionals, Coby now features on the posters. 

Speaking to Radio Exe, Louise said Coby was "funny, clever and always playing pranks." He fell ill at school in January, saying he was tired and felt hot. Coby slept a lot and felt cold to touch. A GP diagnosed the flu, but as his conditioned worsened he was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital with poor circulation. The next day his parents took him back to the hospital, where he later died. 

Louise said "I've never heard of anybody dying from the flu. It was such a shock." 

"We wouldn't want any other family going through what we've gone through". 

They hope Coby's face on campaign posters will encourage people to get their children vaccinated.

Most primary school age children are offered the vaccine - which is a simple spray up the nose. More information from the NHS can be found here. 

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