I just need to ask if Paul ( my lovely husband who has the CLL) should have any particular flu vaccine.
Our GP ( we are in the U.K.) says we should contact them about mid October, but some of the local pharmacies are advertising flu jabs now....
I have heard there are different types and know he should not have a live vaccine but the surgery seem to be distinguishing between under and over 65s.
We are both 62 ( my birthday is tomorrow and I am retiring tomorrow too! 🥴😊).
Paul is well ( he had FCR about 4 years ago), although his numbers are trending towards more CLL treatment .
Thanks for any advice. Look after yourselves and each other,
Fran 😉
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Fran57
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Yes, they have the criteria of under and over 65 but they also have the criteria for those at any age at risk e.g. chronic asthma.
My GP practice ignored me below 65 as CLL treated was not on their personal list. It’s going to take an appointment with the GP to state CLL treated immunity problems. Remember GPs can’t be experts at everything!
It is said that people with CLL, especially treated have the immunity of a 90 year old.
Flu jabs seem to happen in October but they can still get the vaccine late into the spring.
If all else fails book an appointment at the pharmacy. I’m expecting Fluad the norm for over 65’s. Ask the pharmacist?
Don’t worry, sometimes the smallest of things are so difficult.
Are you referring to the pneumonia vaccine every 5 years ? I thought it was given every year like the flu shot I had my first pneumonia vaccine last year.
Pneumonia every 5 years for immune compromised and only once usually for healthy people. I had to have an argument with the practice nurse who was refusing to give it to me again.
If you are like me and prefer to have at the surgery just call again ! I called several times and now have an appointment for Saturday. Some U.K. surgeries have had a delay with the over 65’s vaccine. Just say your husband is immune compromised and that is the one he needs.
Had mine today. Asked whether I should have the over 65’s jab because of the CLL but she didn’t give it. Came away wishing I’d been stronger and insisted particularly as I ended up with flu last year regardless and I certainly don’t want a repeat of that!
Aww best of luck with your retirement. I’ve just dropped my hours so far and it’s lovely.
The vaccines are licenced for the specific age groups. Others have mentioned an extra strong flu jab and I enquired with the chemist. He checked and said it was licenced for over 65's only.. I would have paid for the stronger one but have no choice and will the under 65 jab. My doctors surgery are doing under 65 jabs soon.
Each year doctors around the world decide which flu virus is most likely to be active in each country. 1 year they got it wrong. Part of the innoculation worked for 1 virus but there was no protection for a different flu virus. More people caught flu that year even though they had the jab. Anne uk
To be honest Anne, I’m finding it all a little confusing. Even after reading up on it, I’m still not sure which strain is ‘best’ for people in our situation.
Sorry Sue and Fran, I don't talk about the different flu vaccines in that post, nor in the vaccines post (though there is a lot of information about other vaccines and stuff there). Jackie Jm954 might have more info on this year's flu jabs.
As hubby and I are over 65, we both had the over-65s flu jab this year (from Boots the Chemist).
I live in the UK, but I usually work in Cairo (a wonderful place for compromised immune systems). My GP surgery distinguished between the over 65s and under 65s for flu jabs for the first time this year; I'm in my early 50s.
I was going to be in Cairo for both of my GP's scheduled under 65s flu clinics, so I simply made an appointment to have a flu shot at Boots, and walked into my GP surgery and asked them to print out something to prove my eligibility for a free NHS flu shot. My GP was happy to oblige, but in the end Boots didn't ask to see the letter; they asked me to sign a form, but otherwise took my word for it.
Short version: Boots and similar are viable options if your GP's schedule for flu clinics is an issue.
I have been through the same thing - I am also 62, and my surgery only has the vaccine for the over 65s at present. I have spoken to the surgery, and explained that I have CLL and my immune system is compromised. I still can't have the over 65 one, but they have put me on the list for the first day it comes in - nominally 21st October, and they will ring me if it changes. I had a haematology appt 2 weeks ago, and the doctor said I must have the caching as soon as it is available.
I am 54 and I am booked in at my local Boots this Saturday for my annual flu jab , should I be asking for the ‘over 65’ due to my compromised immune system ?
Last year I had the PPV pneumonia vaccination, but have read on CLLSA that I probably should have had the PCV vaccination first , should I now get the PCV as it is now over a year since I had the PPV ?
Hi Fran I had mine yesterday . My GP told me there were 4 strains of flu vaccine in the one injection . I had pneumovax last year which lasts 5 years and am having the other pneumonia vaccination (forget name) next week . She will also discuss other non live vaccines recommended for CLL patients by the NHS next week . Might be worth you checking out the NHS advice . Emer
Hi Fran, My consultant wrote to my GP asking them to give me the flu jab.
The vaccines are licensed for under and over 65's. The doctors are doing the under 65's in mid October. Make sure you insist that as he has CLL he needs this innoculation or contact the consultant if they are awkward. Dont think they will be. Carers need the jab so ask them if you can have it as well.
It is worth asking but if not you can have it done at the chemist.
For the last six years I've had the flu jab at my GP surgery, but two days ago I went into my local Boots pharmacy to ask about getting it done there instead. They offered to do it there and then as the pharmacist was available. I got the impression that they were keen to vaccinate as many as possible to achieve some target!
So I just filled in a form (you will need your NHS number) and ticked the box for 'immune-compromised'. As I am 64 I had the Tetra MYL vaccine. I took the most recent letter from my haematologist in case I needed to explain why I was eligible for a free vaccine, but I wasn't asked for any documentation.
It was all done very efficiently within 10 minutes and they write to my GP to let her know it's been done.
Just the usual side-effect of soreness at the site of the jab, otherwise feeling good!
Interesting conversation regarding flu shots. i just signed up to be in a clinical trial regarding how those with B cell lymphoma and low immunity do with flu shots or if there is a better way to go for us. This trial just started so it will be awhile before there are any conclusions.
They took a very large vial of blood, then I get the regular shot next week, then after another two weeks they take another big vial. They run tests and comparisons and figure things out. In the end they hope to find better options for those that are immune compromised.
I didn't see any advice here about getting the flu shot during treatment. I'm in the middle of BR. I remember something about not getting certain vaccines within two years of treatment but I"m not sure if that applies to the flu shot. thanks
Not a response about flu jabs, but a reply to say happy birthday and happy retirement! I hope you had a good day, and will settle well into your new lifestyle
(Re flu jab - they have suggested Phil should postpone his until he has finished his 'ramp up' on venetoclax. I am having mine done next week at the hospital where I work. I am under 65 so it will be the quadrivalent)
Good to hear from you . Thanks for your kind wishes. I seem to be settling in to retirement very easily! Paul has been retired since May, so is very used to it!
I do hope Phil is doing well. Paul's next blood test is next month, so I'm crossing fingers and toes already.
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