Vaccinations

[hatter_72]

This a odd first question for someone who has newly been diagnosed with CLL Stage A.

I'm a teacher and I'm going to teach for a few months in Turkey. Does anyone one know what vaccinations I should get or what ones are dangerous.

[Newdawn Administrator]

It's a very important question hatter and certainly something that should be checked out with your specialist.

This is a very useful and pretty authoritative chart which may help to base your discussions on with your doctor. Your unique level of immunocompromisation (if there is such a word) seems to be an issue and certain vaccinations may be more useful in the earlier stages of CLL. Live vaccines are usually to be avoided.

wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellow...

Travel to Turkey advises inoculation against hepatitis, rabies and tetanus in particular so these need to be discussed for medical advice and suitability.

fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/de...

Hope this helps and good luck. I love Turkey!

Newdawn

[Michaeljohn50]

Hi Hatter,

this supplements what Newdawn's advice. I worked in Turkey every other week for 5 years in Stage 0 (W&W) commuting from the UK. I spent most of my working week in Asian Turkey. When not working in Turkey my wife and I travelled to lesser developed locations on our "bucket" list so I always travelled with a 7 day supply of various antibiotics, just in case. My consultant prescribed the following to suit my circumstances; Ciprofloxacin, CoAmoxiclav, Metronidazole and a sachet of Amoxycillin. I also took these antibiotics to Turkey and felt reasonably well protected. Plus the very important letter from my consultant "To whom it may concern" explaining why I had these medications with me.

I did not need any medical attention when in Turkey and knew that at the end of the week I would be going back to the UK, so my situation was different to yours. I loved working in Turkey, a very positive experience.

Best wishes

Michael

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

I'm not certain if you are in the USA, but this chart from the US CDC is useful reference for anyone anywhere. See page 2 and the 2nd row for weakened immune system:

cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/...

In general any live vaccines like Yellow Fever, Shingles etc are NOT recommended for anyone with CLL. Our immune systems don't react correctly and those live vaccines may cause us to get the disease.

Vaccines like the 2 pneumonia vaccines are NOT live, and taking both is highly recommended since pneumonia is a serious problem for many CLL patients.

Len

[LynnB1947 in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks Len ... just got recommendation to get PREVNAR 13, and TDaP vaccines along with flu shot.

I'll probably get them next week. I remember the sore arm from my last pneumonia vaccine ... oh well, just tough it out. My wife got her pneumonia shot about a month ago, and her arm was sore for 4-5 days.

Lynn

PS Where would we be without modern medicine?

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Thanks Lynn,

That was my post from 2 years ago, but the link sends the reader to the current 2017 guidelines.

But the timing of the vaccines has changed for Immune compromised individuals- they now recommend 1 year between the two vaccines for us.

see : cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo...

Len