Fcr and flu jab

[dandelup]

Should I have a flu jab while on fcr ?

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

The best time to have it is a couple of weeks before treatment, but I appreciate you may not have had that choice. While better late than never may be the case, bear in mind that FCR kills off good B-lymphocytes as well as CLL cells. It's the good B-lymphocytes that the vaccine relies on to develop antibodies against the flu, so you are unlikely to get much of a response.

Neil

[Hidden]

This is a question for the clinical nurse at your chemo unit. Doubt GP can advise.

Me, I’d skip it during FCR as low affect but make that phone call.

[Senecio]

A year ago I had the flu jab during FCR treatment. My consultant was keen that I should have it, although she admitted it might not work particularly well!

John

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

You gain great benefit if your friends and family have their flu shots, since that way you have a lower risk of coming in contact with someone with flu. Its called herd immunity...

~chris

[rcknow]

CLL Canada makes an excellent point since it can be more difficult for us to build a proper antibody response. I had a flu shot just before I started FCR in October 2016, but I also kept a low profile, had weekly blood tests, and had neulasta for the six sessions. Best wishes for good health during FCR.

[JigFettler Volunteer]

I asked my Heam team this very question. What I was informed was much along the lines of the above.

Flu vacc is not live. Can be given any time, but probaly wont take that well. Best time to give it is just before the next FCR. Perhaps couple days before.

It remains very important.

May I repeat advice from Chris... it is very important to vaccinate everyone around you, especially family members.

To avoid the flu virus...

Wash hands. Don't shake hands. (Fist bumps are cool.) I avoid hugs, kisses, cheek specks too.

Avoid touching bannisters, door handles... alcohol rubs folks. Screen all who enter your home for ailments, avoid crowds... Flu season is a few weeks away... UK.

A holiday on the moon is an effective flu avoidance tactic, I am told.

Jig, UK, mid FCR Round 5...

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to JigFettler]

You'd want the B-lymphocyte hypersomatic mutation process to complete to produce B-lymphocytes specific to the flu antigens, which takes a week or so...

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to AussieNeil]

Here's the thing...

My neuts at 1 week pre next FCR dose are sub 1.0

I check them... mid cycle 0.3 to 0.7

I have a choice. Go now for suboptimal response, or wait 4 weeks till end of my 6 cycles for an arguably better response while facing flu season start up defenceless in my splendid self imposed isolation.

Not much help for those warriors in earlier FCR cycles.

Jig

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to JigFettler]

PS that's assuming they do well this in flu virus serotype prediction!

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to JigFettler]

Per the vaccination guidelines, you should not be given the flu vaccine if your neutrophils are under 0.5, due to the risk of triggering febrile neutropenia. I know this because last year I had to keep having blood tests until my neutrophil count lifted above 0.5.

You are between a rock and a hard place...

[GMa27]

Definitely good to get no matter how effective or not it may be. Hopefully it protects! Getting mine in 2 weeks. Finished FCR beginning of September. Was planning to get shot even if I had continued treatment.