My doctor suggests against flu shot. Has your doctor had similar suggestion or recommendation of getting even if you have not in the past?

[kjkoerner]

[mags4743]

My doctor hasn't suggested that I DON'T have the flu jab as I am type 1 diabetic and it is advised to do so. I do remember, however, when I was first diagnosed with ITP two years ago in October, my haematologist did ask "have you recently had the flu jab". I had, so there must be something there?? It is a fact that platelets can drop following an infection. The flu jab, I think, gives you a "small dose" of the flu virus to enable your system to build up resistance to the "real thing" when it comes along.

[kered in reply to mags4743]

The yearly flu shot is a dead vaccine and given subcutaneously. If you are a type1 diabetic,or have some other conditions ,or if you are elderly when the immune system is becoming progressively less efficient with increasing age ,then you are strongly advised to get the flu shot which is valid only for the current season. This is also advised when you are taking immunosuppressive drugs as a treatment.

It all depends on whether you are being treated for ITP,etc. Like everything to do with this disorder we all respond differently so can only say our own responses.I am over70 and immuno supressed with MMF. I have had the flu shot for 2 years and my platelet counts have slightly increased each time and not decreased.I was advised to get the shot but it might not be totally effective. So did it work-----I have no idea because I didn't get flu,but then I never have.

[scaryteacher]

I don't receive any treatment for my ITP, but have always been advised to have the flu jab (and have also had the pneumonia jab). I've been having a flu jab for 16 years now, and have not had flu, even when all the students and other staff in school were laid low; so it has helped.

[owenm]

I am on immunosupressants and receive Anti-D as treatment for my ITP.

My Haematologist advised me not to get the flu jab till after my anti-d treatments so that my platelet count would be at an acceptable level, so as not to cause excessive bleeding. He was also very specific about receiving it subcutaneously as opposed to intramuscularly.

My counts range from 4-60, depending where I am in the cycle of things.

[AnthonyHeard Administrator ITP Support Association]

The only definitive answer is to DISCUSS it with your ITP specialist before having the flu jab. Like with most things ITP we are all different and have different medical histories and conditions. Obviously we all respond differently to different things so the only advice is to discuss it in full with your ITP specialist before having the flu jab or indeed before taking any medication or remedies. I personally do NOT have the flu jab. I have been in remission since August 2010 following Rituximab treatment and for the record I have never had the flu jab either before my ITP or since my diagnosis in July 2006. But we are all different so do discuss it with your specialist.