I finished my course of 5 radiotherapy treatments on 22 August and have just booked to have the routine flu injection. I hope this is in order. I am also wondering if I should be having the covid jab too. I’m not quite at the magic age of 75 to get one automatically but I think I read somewhere that I might be eligible if I had recently had radiotherapy. Is this correct and should I ask for the covid jab?
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I paid for a Covid vaccine privately - I used a travel clinic it was £80. Flu is abour £20 . It gave me peace of mind knowing I’d had it . Compared to all the other costs of having cancer it felt well worth the money
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I was elgible for free flu and covid jabs due to being immune compromised from medications and chemo. Not sure about radiotherapy, but it’s definitely a possibility. The nurses on here will know but if not, your breast care nurse should be able to advise.
I’m under 75 and have had vaccinations for COVID and flu on the strength of chemo and radiotherapy which finished 3 years ago. No questions asked. I feel more secure.
Hi kasper.
Thanks for posting.
It’s understandable you are wondering whether you should be having the flu and covid vaccinations after your recent radiotherapy to the breast.
Both vaccines are safe to have after your treatment, but you would not usually be automatically eligible for a covid vaccination after radiotherapy, as this in itself does not lower your immune system. As @bluesatsuma says if you have received chemotherapy, you may be eligible, so do talk to your GP or treatment team about this.
As @anim4l says some people chose to pay privately for a covid vaccination if they are not eligible and wish to have it. Your local pharmacy or GP should be able to advise where this is available near you if needed.
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