I read recently that people who had recently had treatment for cancer should have a flu jab just woundered if anyone had been offered one , if you think its a good idea , and would you have one ,and what is classed as recent, didnt know whether i should ask my G.P for one.
Hello,
I have just had one, we have a flu clinic at the GPs and as my husband goes anyway because he has heart disease I go with him. I have only been asked once why I was having one and I said that I have had breast cancer to which the reply from the receptionist was “thats good” the poor lady suddenly realised what she had said and apologised. I didn’t have one during treatment though.
Hazel
I’m on chemo and they had no problem giving me flu jab and sending OH too as he has asthma.
Hi All
I have posted here some information on the subject of flu vaccinations. Hope you find this useful.
This weblink is to the NHS website, and I think it gives clear, good quality information.
www.immunisation.nhs.uk/article.php?id=273
Generally speaking having the Flu jab is a good idea- as with all vaccination ‘herd’ immunity is a good thing and the less people affected by the virus the less the spread.
For people affected by cancer the flu jab is often recommended, as treatments for the disease can lower the immunity. and therefore individuals are susceptible to the virus, and secondary infections, such as chest infections.
Chemotherapy
For anyone on Chemotherapy I would suggest they check with their oncologist before having the jab, although for most this will be recommended, we can’t say for all, or comment on individual cases, as we don’t know their full medical history.
As you would imagine the flu is a very serious illness for someone who is receiving chemotherapy, because of their lowered immunity.
Other Cancer treatments for BC
For anyone else interested in having the flu jab we would recommend they talk with their GP or practice nurse about their medical history before having the flu jab.
Myths
There are many myths about the flu jab, the most common one being that it can give you the flu!-The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine, and therefore cannot give someone the flu.
The aching some people experience after having the jab, and raise in temperature is due to the body responding to the vaccine by producing anti-bodies to the virus, hence the body is protected when it comes into contact with the virus.
Kind regards.
Katie
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care
I had the flu jab and the pnemowotzit one, had mine in october…blooming hurt and my arm froze up for days. Still the doc said itd be a good idea as my system wouldnt be firing on all cylindars after finishing the chemo in august…he did promise me that i wouldnt have to have it next year though…hate needles
I not only have bc, but Crohn’s and have been on immuno-suppressants for some 6 years (methotrexate). I have had flu jabs each year since being dx with bc 4 yrs ago. I had one 2 weeks ago, along with my 79 yr old husband and I had a violent reaction. The area from the injection down to my elbow swelled alarmingly, was red hot and ached. 2 weeks later it is a little better, but still looks red and bruised, almost marbled. My husband had a tiny spot come up on his arm, the size of a 20p piece. Go figure!! The posted list at my gp’s surgery details the people who are eligible for flub shots : some of them are:
over 65 (I am 63)
diabetic
asthmatic
on immuno-suppressants,
and I can’t remember the rest of the list, but it certainly doesn’t mention cancer - I know immuno-suppressants are chemo, or at least methotrexate is, as it used to given for bc. I can’t figure out how I got bc when I had already been on weekly mtx for Crohn’s. My gastro said he was going to research this problem for me, but hasn’t yet.
I feel the 2 weeks or so of having a very sore arm is preferable to getting flu, and neither I nor my husband have had flu since getting the shots.
I’ve had the flu jab for the first time ever as I have secondaries and am on long term chemo but my Macmillan nurse said to make sure that when I had the flu jab I should have it on the week that I have a rest from the chemo so that’s what I did. They also gave my husband the flu jab as well.
Apart from a bit of a sore arm in the area where I had the jab I haven’t had any other reactions to it.
Pinkdove
Hi
I went to see my GP last Friday and he offered me the flu jab there and then. I was quite surprised to be honest, but he said he did recommend it as I’d had bc (am about to start rads).
It didn’t hurt (think I’m well used to needles now - lol!) and I had no reaction to it whatsoever.
Julie xx
When you go for your jab, watch where they stick the needle. As you probably know, you shouldn’t have jabs in your affected arm. I think we all know this. But when I went for a jab, it was like a conveyor belt…in and out in 30 seconds…as one nurse was taking my details, the other very nearly stuck the needle in my bad arm. All you could hear in the doctors was me screaming “NOOOooooo” before presenting my good arm. The thing is, you can wait in a queue so long that you go brain dead. Better still, write “not this arm” on bad arm in pen before you go…Lol
Debbie
I was offered and have had a flu jab (was in the middle of radiotherapy at the time)
Didnt have to wait in the waiting room - as soon as I arrived i was whisked straight in and out
Didnt hurt and no side effects or bad reactions
Jools
i’m having my first flu jab on thursday - after managing to avoid them all these years I have capitulated and, at my gp’s insistanced checked with my onc as to the best time. We agreed that it’d be sensible to have it the same time as my pre chemo blood test. so, by friday, i will be a proper pin cushion !!!
Hi had my flu jab yesterday and the nurse mentioned about having the one for pheumonia said to check with my consultant when i see him next month were you advised to have that too.
I asked my gp about the flu jab, and was told i didn’t need it!!!
Hi Alison
I am not really sure that I need it too. I paid for one last year from Boots. This year, I got a letter in feb saying I qualified for free ones but I don’t think it is necessary really in my case. I had 6 or 7 lymph nodes removed and node sampling.
debbie
xxx
This is the first time in 12 years since my initial diagnosis that I’ve been offered a flu jab and I think it’s because I’m back on chemo. My husband was also advised to have one as well.
Pinkdove
x
i think its just a way to save money, you look ok, so why do you need it? think thats my gp’s ethos anyway!!!
Alisonxxxxxxxx
I think anyone on chemo or just finished chemo, should get a flu jab. The category of need being impaired immune system.
Also those with secondaries who might be back on chemo without much warning, it probably wouldn’t hurt? Also, anyone still needed to go back to the hospital frequently might be best off having it (herd immunity and for the sake of others) because we don’t want them giving bugs to sick people?
The cost of the jabs is very low as you can tell from the cost of having one privately. Often, the rationing is because of low supplies and I wonder why it is so difficult to estimate demand?
I had a flu jab yesterday- cost me 10 pounds. This is the 2nd year that I have had it and I would recommend it to anyone.