Has anyone had advice about the wisdom of having the UK annual flu jab for the fairly elderly with CLL?
My research nurse did not know the answer; would be v. grateful to hear from anyone with experience or knowledge about this. Have recently completed a cycle of chemotherapy treatment.
Many thanks in antxipation.
I would take advice from your consultant, but it is not uncommon to have the flu jab and the pneumonia jab together.
both inoculations are 'dead' vaccines so are OK for us CLLers. You might get a reaction but you will be protected, to some extent, to the illness', which can be awfully dangerous to us with immunosupression. It was last year's flu' jab that led to my diagnosis, the resultant reaction caused my spleen to distend and this led to bloods ergo diagnosis. Now 3 months post-FCR and ready to have this year's flu' jab.
If you are having treatment you should consult your CLL doctor, prior to having any innoculations... your immune system is compromised...
~chris
I'm in my 13th month on Ibrutinib as part of the RESONATE-2 study.
I was advised not to have the 'flu vaccination last year and I expect the advice will be the same this year, though I'm waiting for confirmation.
Very many thanks for replying: this seems a matter that needs to be cleared up more generally, if possible, for all our sakes: currently the score is 2-1 against having the flu' jab. I've written to my consultant for her advice.
My consultant has advised me to have the flu jab...for what it's worth. I've been on Ibrutinib for 2 and a half months now.
Likewise, this morning, my specialist told me that there was no reason why I should not have the jab. Thank you for your endorsement. (I've been on Chlorambucil). Obviously there is no general rule about the flu' jab: depends on individual circumstances).
Hi JohnP
I had my 6th dose of FCR last month (sept '14)and my consultant and has raised no objections to my having the Flu Jab. I am due to have it tomorrow (Sat) at my GP 'Flu Clinic'
John
I've had the flu shot every year since diagnosis about 4 years ago (and for 10 or so years before that). My hematologist gives it. I've never had a bad reaction. Having a past bad reaction would be something to tell the doctor.
On the other hand, tests showed I was not responding as well to Pneumovax23 as I would have hoped - a month later, less than 5 serotypes showed response out of 23. But still, that's 5!
Pneumovax is not an annual shot, and is specifically recommended for leukemia and other immune system diseases:
cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vi...
The Zoster (shingles) vaccine seems contraindicated for us CLLers:
cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/sh...
I wonder if there are any other vaccines we CLLers ought to ask about.
=seymour=
My understanding is that we must avoid live vaccines, but on consultant's advice in each case the flu and pneumonia jabs may be recommended. The latter lasts longer so is not annual.
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