Flu Shot

[Bmarbler]

When is the best time for us CLL'ers to take the flu shot for it to be most effective? The end of October, the beginning of November, or now?

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Here is an answer from Dr. Richard Furman on Patient Empowerment Network:

powerfulpatients.org/2018/1...

Andrew Schorr:

I promised our audience weeks ago that I’d ask you about this. So should we have flu shots?

Dr. Furman:

So, absolutely. Everyone should definitely get a flu shot each year. And it’s important to get the flu shot each year because the immunity doesn’t persist. So I actually recommend people get vaccinated either October or early November. All right? So any earlier than that I worry that you’re going to have your immunity peak before the height of the season, and later than that you may not actually have sufficient time to respond.

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And from CLL Society: cllsociety.org/2018/09/get-...

When it comes to contagious diseases like the flu, CLL patients are among the most vulnerable to infection and serious complications. Due to an impaired immune system, however, the flu vaccine might not give them as much protection as healthy individuals receive. Nevertheless, the flu vaccine is highly recommended by most CLL doctors as long as the vaccine is an injection, not the nasal spray that contains live flu virus.

Timing of the flu season varies from community to community, but often begins as early as October or November in the U.S., and can continue as late as May. The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Vaccination later, however, can still be beneficial, even as late as January.

As always, check with your healthcare provider before getting a flu vaccine, especially if you are allergic to eggs. Also, ask if the regular, non-live injection is sufficient, or if you would benefit from the high dose vaccine that contains four times the amount of antigen as the regular flu shot. And, if you do get the flu, ask about treatment with antivirals such as Tamiflu®, which work best when begun within 48 hours of getting sick. They can shorten the duration of the illness and help prevent serious complications.

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Len

[GMa27]

I just got mine today. I usually get it first week in Oct so this was close enough. Takes 2 weeks to become "active". Usually lasts 6 months which will take me thru March. In the USA it peaks Jan/Feb. But can linger around March. I feel by mid Oct is a good time to get it. Nov seems too late. Flu starts by then and it would be a shame if you got exposed before you got protection.

It does lose potency towards the end of the 6th month. These are all opinions/facts from my docs.

The important thing is to get one. I still get the regular dose even tho I am 65. My GP didn't want me to get higher dose (due to more chance of reaction). I will discuss with my oncologist and again with GP next year. Maybe due to covid he preferred I get regular so that if I did get any reactions, I wouldn't freak out.

I did ask the pharmacist why some people get a repeat dose in Dec...she said in other countries that have a longer winter/flu season it might be more common. My UK pals might be able to add to that. Pharmacist also said very elderly and compromised get a second one if needed.

As everything else....there are so many different opinions. Even amongst the professionals. 💕

[wmay13241]

For many years my wife and I have been getting our annual flu shot (Fluzone high dose quadrivalent) on All Saints Day (November 1). So far neither of us has gotten the flu.