Can anyone help with if it's safe to have flu vaccine while taking iressa and also how often should the pneumonia vaccine be given.

[susanroe]

Various people I ask given me different answers and I am very confused now.

[Joewarren]

If you are on Iressa you are technically immunosuppressed and should therefore definitely have the flu jab every winter, as you are at increased risk should you contract flu from becoming very ill. The pneumonia injection I believe is only needed once every three years, but do talk to your consultant and nurses about them and your practice nurse. I have been on Iressa for 20 months now and have just had my second flu jab

Take care

Joewarren

[susanroe in reply to Joewarren]

Hi Joe,

Thank you for the help. Heartened me to hear that you have been on Iressa for 20 months, I have been on it for 5/6 months now. The cancer has shrunk down amazingly well but I am plagued by chest infections that won't seem to go.I do want to have this flu jab as I know how important it is for people in our situation. I feel ok but keep getting a lot of mucus build up and cough. They probably won't let me have jabs while I'm like this. Back to g.p. tomorrow. How have you been on Iressa? Do you have any problems?

Sue

[Joewarren in reply to susanroe]

Initially I too had a cough an chest infections but it did all settle within about 6 months. I persist with symptoms of nausea an dizziness but am otherwise well. The acne also resolved after about 8 months. I still get some mucous build up but is not too bad

[debjmac]

Hi Susan

I work in a doctors surgery and yes you can have the flu vaccination and the pneumonia vaccination is a once in a lifetime vaccination unless you have a immune system disorder then you have it ever 5 years.

Take care, stay well

Deb

[susanroe in reply to debjmac]

Thanks for you reply, I am getting mixed messages from my g.p surgery.

Sue