Hi Lee
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.
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.
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.
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.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards.
Sam
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care