Good Morning everyone,
Just a thought, but does anyone know if us BC sufferers now need to have the flu jab ?
I know that if you have certain other ailments you’re automatically called for one, but I was wondering if ‘C’ is on the list.
Hope that makes sense.
I have been advised to for the last 4 years - never recalled by the GP surgery, but book them myself. I work as a teacher so occupational health insisted on a yearly flu jab and a 10 yearly pneumonia jab, before I returned to work. But anyone I guess faces as much exposure so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
I guess it depends on whether you’ve had chemo or radiotherapy too, as these suppress the immune system. That was a reason I gave when one year a receptionist questioned my need for a flu jab.
Thanks for the reply Nicky, I’ve been on the NHS site and it says it should be for those who have had Chemotherapy.
Although I have mild Athsma I don’t get called as its not considered severe enough, My OH is going for his in the next week or two, I’ll trot along with him and have a chat with the nurse.
what I love about this site is that when ever I have a thought, I come here and find someone else has also had that thought…this weekend i was thinking about Flu jabs and whether I should have one this year
Hi all,
I’m currently on chemotherapy, and have been advised to have a flu jab but to watch the timing carefully - I’m on intravenous Abraxane plus tablet Xeloda which is two weeks on and one week off, and I should endeavour to have the jab on the first day of my week off - that way my blood should have had time to recover a bit, and the flu jab will have worked its way through my system by the time my next cycle starts.
Obviously anyone else on chemo will need to speak to their own oncologist for advice, but thought this may be of interest.
Julie x
I have had flu jabs for over 10 yrs now as I have mild asthma. When I was on chemo, my onc advised me to have it but for it to be in my best week for bloods. Still have it annually but the GP surgery never calls me automatically either - I have to ask for it and then the receptionist has to ask for permission to book me in as I don’t have THE letter and am not classed as being in an at risk group in their eyes, even though I am on continuing treatment for mets…I have to go to the ‘Flu Clinic’ and cannot have it tomorrow when I go for my zoladex jab. My suggestion to do it that way was apparently a no-go. Ah well…
Liz
Hi im going for a flu jab on saturday and i go for chemo no 5 on thur .I got told it was fine to have one and to have in in my good week.I havent got any other reason to go for one so wasnt called but just asked at the doctors and they were happy to give me one .
Love Sharon xx
I was wondering about this, so thank you for the helpful post xx
My doctor advised me to have the flu jab. I am having mine the day before I start my first chemo session . My BCN said that was ok.
Just had mine this afternoon Ooouch! But well worth it I guess as you are still immune compramised for quite some time after chemo. Also having a pneumonia jab in 4 weeks.
My onc told me to get one so I had one in January a couple of weeks before starting chemo. I’m only on Tam now so I don’t know if I’ll get called for one this winter or not, but I’m seeing my GP on Thursday anyway so I’ll ask about it then.
Jane xxx
Posted on behalf of the BCC Nursing team
Flu vaccination
Flu is an infection caused by a virus. Flu generally happens during the winter months. It is therefore good to have the flu jab before the virus starts circulating and GPs often run vaccination clinics from September onwards.
Anyone who is at greater risk of infection is recommended to have the flu vaccine. Some cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, can affect the immune system and make you less able to fight infections. You are also more likely to develop complications from flu. It is therefore often sensible for anyone with cancer or having cancer treatment to have the flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine is not “live” (so it cannot give you flu). However, because you need a healthy immune system in order to makes the anti bodies that protect you from the flu virus, those having chemotherapy should ideally have the vaccination at least 2 weeks before they start their treatment.
If you are already having chemotherapy it is best to discuss with your breast care team about the most appropriate time for you to have the flu vaccination. Most commonly this is at a point in your chemotherapy cycle when your white blood cell count is recovering.
You may want to have a look at NHS choices regarding more information about the flu vaccine. Please see link below:
nhs.uk/Livewell/winterhealth/Pages/Fluandthefluvaccine.aspx
Thank you June! BCC comes up trumps again!
Jane xxx
Nurse gave me mine today when I went for my zoladex jab. Saved me from going back on Saturday - excellent nurse !! So with those two and hunt-the-vein at the hospital for drip this morning, I’ve been like a pin-cushion today.
Liz
I have a flu jab every year. I first started it after I had pleurisy one winter and then the year after a primary cancer diagnosis. My husband gets one annually at work and the surgery also innoculate my children (teenagers) so that the whole house is treated. In fact anyone who regularly sees me/cares for me gets one from my GP, they are very good about it.
Sue x
NB. I have also had a pneumonia jab about 5 years ago now that is supposed to last a while.
I had my flu jab today.First one ever and my next chemo is due on thursday so im hoping it goes ahead.
Interesting Sue that your surgery will give your teenagers a flu jab too .Ours wont!!!I have paid for my husband one at tesco and he gets his on thursday but tesco wont do my sons as he is only 17 and the docs wont do it as he doesnt fit the catagories.So i offered to pay for one and take it to the docs for them to give him it but they wont do that either!!!
Oh well looks like my son cant get one ,hes well happy lol.Funny though they said when i finish my chemo i will need another one as my chemo will attack the vaccination and make it less effective?
Not sure that will be possible halfway through november .
Sharon xx