Flu and Covid vaccinations

[daisy9]

I’m halfway through my chemo and have been offered flu and Covid vaccinations. My consultant and oncologist have said the side effects of these could be worse than the benefits. I am not going out as I am shielding. What have other people done

[pat]

@daisy9 I have only been offered flu so far. I was told that I should have it, and that I should have it at the very end of the second or during the third week. They also said that, ideally, anyone living with you should have it too. This wasn’t a problem for me as my husband has it anyway. I had mine last Saturday on the 12th day after chemo and I have had absolutely no effects - not even a sore arm.

By the way - if you have a toddler/child who has a flu nasal vaccine then this is a live vaccine, unlike the injection, so you should not have close contact- that is changing nappies, wiping bottoms, wiping noses, kissing on the face etc - for 2 weeks after the vaccination.

I am not shielding and have been going out as normal.

[galdiolus]

I had both of mine, I managed my Covid just before I started chemo, and then my flu jab last Friday. I have chemo tomorrow.
I am staying away from crowds but don’t want to isolate entirely so rather have the vaccinations. That is what works for me but understand it’s not for everybody

[bluesatsuma]

I’ve got both of mine on Friday. My oncologist said i should have them.

[janie3]

I had both mine in my arm with picc line, as I had nodes removed and mastectomy in the other. I had mine high in the shoulder 2.5 cms apart and had no problems. They were both recommended for me by my oncologist. I didn’t even have discomfort afterwards in my arm. I had them done by my pharmacist as my surgery wanted to come out to me in the car park and do them in my thigh.

[Smurf69]

Hi there, I totally understand your concerns. I was offered both of mine before I started chemo and had them, so did my partner and parents. I was OK with them. I isolated in my own way, keeping to my safe circle of people and if I went shopping, which was about all I could manage, I did it during the week when it was quieter. I clearly remember having a sniffle while having treatment and it terrified me, the thought of feeling even more poorly on top of chemo was just too much so if I was in your shoes, I wouldn’t have had the jabs. However, this is just my feeling and as I said I waa lucky with the timing of mine. I wish you all the best and lots of love xx

[kar3n]

Hi daisy9
I had both done whilst going through treatment, i did ask my Oncologists advice & she recommended me to have them. Don’t forget your immune system isn’t so strong. I’ve always had Flu jab cause i’m Asthmatic. I’m still having both jabs, a year on from treatment & will carry on. Hope this helps. x

[naughty_boob]

I had chemo last year Sept to Dec and had both flu and Covid at the same time during chemo. It didn’t make me feel any worse than the chemo, apart from a sore arm.

I was also advised to have them both as having chemo reduces your immune system and catching either could make you really poorly or be hospitalised. Catching either could also affect your treatment plan and delay it.

I’ve just finished my year of Herceptin and had both Covid and flu 2 weeks later. I had them both in the same arm as I was due to have bloods and zoledronic acid infusion 2 weeks later. Trying to reduce lymphoedema risk as I’m bilateral. The vaccinate me a sore arm and headache for a couple of days. I feel worse today after having my infusion.

[cindy2]

I’m brand new here and as a retired nurse, I am enjoying reading stories from the people experiencing the reality of all of this. Today I got both flu and Covid in preparation for my upcoming chemo treatments for invasive ER+, HER2-,PR-,grade3, stage1. I’m not afraid for the outcome, it is what it is but I am dedicated to following the advice and recommendations of the experts and those experiencing cancer treatment. Thank you all for sharing your stories.

[naughty_boob]

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[sparkles456]

I was worried about the side effects, but apart from a slightly sore arm where the covid jab went I’ve had no effects at all. I had mine in my last week of my 3 weekly cycle as that’s when my bloods are best.

[bluesatsuma]

Both of mine were done in arm above my picc line at same time. I did get them at end of 2nd week of chemo cycle. No side effects except for an achey arm.