Flu vaccine

[Joannmarie]

Flu vaccine. Yes or no

[DriedSeaweed]

Yes.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Why ever not?

See healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Actually there may be situations in which you shouldn't have the flu vaccination, such as when you have severity 4 neutropenia (neutrophil count under 0.5), but unless your doctor advises against it, it's a definite YES! because "Influenza is a common cause of pneumonia, especially among younger children, the elderly, pregnant women, or those with certain chronic health conditions or who live in a nursing home. Most cases of flu never lead to pneumonia, but those that do tend to be more severe and deadly. In fact, flu and pneumonia were the eighth leading cause of death in the United States in 2016."

lung.org/lung-health-and-di...

Neil

[Bubnojay]

If you had ever had full blown flu you would know the answer is a resounding yes please. Sore arm for a day or two is a small price to pay for some protection.

Good luck

Bubnjay1

[GMa27]

Always!

[dmtm2005]

Most definitely.

[Jooby59]

I have to say that I have not had it, on the advice of my Consultant and GP, due to the fact that my reaction to the pneumonia vaccine was so severe. And, yes I know it is a completely different vaccine, but at the moment my body is coping with enough things without the added complications I may suffer. However, in normal circumstances I would definitely have it. All my close family had it the other week.

[TimHB]

My doctors insisted on it. Got it. No side effects whatsoever.

[Hidden]

my doctor insists-so i do

[Root65]

Hi Joannmarie, I never needed adult vavcines because I was super fit and healthy, it's a shock to the system to realise your at risk. I had my flu jag 2 weeks ago, there was no time for the pneumonia jag but I'm scheduling the NHS one and private one, cover different strains, as soon after treatment as I can. Changed times 😊

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to Root65]

Hi Root65,

Glad to hear you've had the flu jab. However, re pneumonia vaccinations, I'm wondering what you mean by getting "the NHS one and private one". The two pneumonia vaccinations recommended for CLL patients are both available on the NHS - no need to go private.

First one to have is Prevnar 13 (PCV 13), then at least 2 months later – Pneumovax 23 (PPV 23 - also known as PPSV23).

Prevnar13 has only recently been put on the recommended list for CLL folk, and some doctors are not aware of this as it used to be only for infants. Make sure you get the Prevnar first, not the Pneumovax. healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Generally speaking, people are advised to wait about 6 months after finishing FCR before having vaccinations, as they will work better then. But your doctor may have reasons for suggestions them earlier in certain cases.

Wishing you all the best as you continue with your FCR treatments..

Paula

[Root65 in reply to PaulaS]

Ah thanks for that info, can't take anything for granted, especially the knowledge of GPs on specialist subjects 😳 forwarned is forarmed 😊

[jdolinger]

I am a 73 year old male with several bouts of cancer; heart disease; diabetes and now undergoing treatment of CLL. I have been ibrutinib for six months and quickly approaching normality on all my blood factors. Both my Hemotologist and Internist strongly advised me to get the new senior flu vaccine because of my continued immune deficiency. I got it a week ago and was mildly sluggish for several days but now feeling fine. Internist said it actually takes about two weeks to become effective. One caution would be, since I do not know your entire medical condition, be sure to consult with your Hemo and IM first before just getting it at a local drug store or wherever. Not all flu vaccines are the best for you.

[Teddo]

Unless your specialist/doc gives a good reason not to, absolutely yes for CLL individuals.

[alexmcg48]

My specialist Haematologists always insist I have it & they highly recommend my wife has it. They also say the same about the pneumonia jab, which we've both had.

[vog292]

Yes ! My hematologist said yes. But check with you doctor. I did not even get a sore arm. No adverse reaction.

[Zappymom12]

My husband and I got the flu vaccine last week. The Oncologist does not want my husband to get any “live” vaccines. We also got the first of the shingles regime.

[jdolinger]

Hi again, just want to give a brief update to my post above about taking the Senior flu vaccine. One week after the shot, I became incredible ill with lung congestion and flu like symptoms that have now lasted for almost a week. I guess maybe now I will be further immune to flu. I have been so sick I could not even get off the sofa. I have never had this happen before when taking a flu shot before I had CLL. Not sure what I will do when faced with the decision to take the shot again in the future. Just my story. To each his own.

Jack O.

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to jdolinger]

Sorry to hear how ill you've been, Jack.

However, I wouldn't be too quick to blame it on the flu vaccine. You got sick one week after the shot, and it takes 10-14 days for immunity to build up after the vaccine. Vaccines only cover some of the strains of flu anyway.

nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...

I do hope you feel better soon...

Paula