'I'd rather die than be that ill again' - Mum's warning after missing flu vaccine
1 October 2025
A mum-of-two who contracted pneumonia after missing her flu vaccination has admitted she would “rather die” than go through the ordeal again.
Charlotte Bessent, from Llandaff North, Cardiff, thought she was recovering from a regular winter cold when one night she woke up shaking with an extremely high fever.
By morning she was so ill that the GP came out to her house - and she was sent straight to urgent care at the University Hospital of Wales.
“I felt like I was drowning,” said Charlotte, 38, recalling the events of January 2024. “I felt ice cold, but I was burning up - my temperature was so high. It all happened so quickly from being ‘a cold’ to being unable to drink, move or sit up, talk or carry out basic functions.”
At the University Hospital of Wales, Charlotte was diagnosed with pneumonia and given intravenous antibiotics. Unfortunately, these gave her an allergic reaction, so she was switched to oral antibiotics which took longer to take effect.
Charlotte, a project coordinator at a construction firm, admitted she felt so unwell that she was crying in her husband’s arms.
While she recovered enough to go home from hospital after a few days, it took six long months to begin feeling normal again with continuing breathing difficulties. She was off work the entire time to focus on her recovery.
Her illness had an impact on her whole family, particularly her daughter who was eight years old at the time. “She was learning about miners who died of pneumonia in her history lessons, which was incredibly upsetting for her because she had made the connection and thought if Mummy has pneumonia she would die as well,” Charlotte added.
Charlotte has several underlying chronic health conditions including arthritis, fibromyalgia and endometriosis, which means she is eligible for the flu vaccination every year.
She said that she is now diligent about getting her flu vaccination and added: “I would rather die than be that ill again”.
The flu vaccination is especially important for people who have underlying health conditions as they are more susceptible to becoming very unwell and needing hospital treatment.
For example, adults with chronic liver disease are over 48 times more likely to experience serious outcomes from flu, while those with weakened immune systems face a risk more than 45 times higher than the general population.
If any of the following apply to you, even if you feel healthy, you are more likely to get complications from flu if you catch it:
- You are pregnant
- You are aged 65 or over
- You are aged six months to 64 years and have a long-term health condition that puts you at increased risk from flu
- You are aged six months to 64 years and have a long-term health condition that puts you at increased risk from flu
The following groups are also advised to have a flu vaccine to protect them and the people around them:
- Children aged two and three years old (age on 31 August 2024)
- Children and young people in school from Reception class to Year 11
- Carers
- People working directly with patients/clients in health or social care
- First responders and members of voluntary organisations providing planned emergency first aid
- Those who live with someone who has a weak immune system
Nearly a million people in Wales get vaccinated every year to protect themselves and their loved ones against flu. Last year, nearly 200,000 people with conditions like diabetes, asthma, COPD and heart disease protected themselves by getting their flu vaccine in Wales.
More than 10,000 pregnant women in Wales also got their flu vaccine last year to help protect themselves and their babies.
Claire Beynon, Executive Director of Public Health for Cardiff and Vale UHB, said: “Winter brings a higher risk of respiratory illnesses, which can lead to serious complications, hospitalisation, or worse - especially for older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
“By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself, but also help reduce pressure on the NHS and safeguard those around you, including family, friends, and colleagues.
“Viruses like flu also change over time, which is why it’s important to get vaccinated every year to stay protected. The flu vaccine is safe, quick, and effective, and can significantly reduce the severity of illness and risk of transmission.”
Dr Christopher Johnson, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) at Public Health Wales, said: “Winter viruses such as flu are easily spread and can be very serious for older people and those with health conditions.
“Getting vaccinated is what we do every winter to stay well – it’s the best protection we have, so it’s important to get your vaccine as soon as you can.
“Protection from flu reduces over time, but getting the flu vaccine every year is the most effective way to help you stay protected from serious illness, which can result in hospitalisation.
“Many people will also be eligible for other vaccinations that help prevent infections that are more common in the winter, including COVID-19 and RSV. Together, these vaccines provide the best protection against the viruses which put many people in hospital and place pressure on NHS resources this winter.
“Flu can take a real toll on your everyday life including work, school, family and social activities. Once you get your appointment, set a reminder to attend your appointment and protect yourself and the people you care for.”
To find out more about how to get your flu vaccination in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, please visit our flu vaccination web page. Cardiff and Vale UHB has also created dedicated web pages for the school flu vaccine programme and the staff flu vaccine programme.