Flu jabs - you can get one before starting chemo

Just wanted to start a post about flu jabs. I had read that it is a good idea to get one before starting treatment - especially chemo & my doctors surgery were very understanding & fitted in me, my husband and also my 4 year old daughter to get one (though she did a runner once she realised she was having an injection!) this will hopefully protect us all from flu this year - not only to protect me while on chemo but also the last thing any house needs to deal with is somebody with flu in it while coping with the strains of chemo treatment. some others have had theirs done too & were glad I mentioned it so thought I’d post for all to see. check it out as may not be the same everywhere but as your immune system will be compromised from the chemo it seems like a very good idea - as well as getting a dentist check up as this is something else you can’t have while on chemo in case of infection.

Hope this is helpful
Jo

hey

ive had mine today too xx

Hi, just to say ,y chemo nurse has advised I have my flu jab inbetween my chemo cycles, and to get my gp to do a blood test to make sure cells are up to having jab first.

Just hope it doesnt make me feel ill on my off chemo week but had better get it done

cheers Ann B

Hi ladies

I had my flu jab and swine flu jab last year between cycles of my chemo. If you are on chemo you should have the swine flu and seasonal flu jabs.

I know this as I work in a doctors surgery and one of the admin tasks I do is the flu jabs and one of the targets of the doctors this year is all immunosuppressed patients ( that is anyone on chemo) to have both. Hope this is useful

marian

Hello An additional thought - i"m 4 weeks past last chemo and GP is insisting I have the 2 flu jabs, the seasonal one and the swine flu one - I think they will be a week apart, have to go on Sat.

I dont know what the cut off point is - how long ago the chemo would be when they say you dont need it. I questioned if I needed it as lady from surgery who phoned didnt know I’d finished chemo, but checked with GP who said - Yes have it.

All this feels never ending but guess it will good to have .

Kirsty

I finished chemo at the end of July and rads in September but my GP still advised me to have the flu jab. Had this last week and it was a the seasonal flu and swine flu combined, so only had to have the one injection.

Beverley xx