Flu Shot?

Kenny H.
Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Heard different opinions on getting one while on Chemo. I get Port installed Monday and prob start infusions soon after. Should I go ahead and get the flu shot now? Guess really should be asking my ONC but what are your thoughts?

Comments

  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #2
    Kenny
    I got mine while going
    Kenny

    I got mine while going through chemo. My oncologist office gave it to me along with the pneumonia shot.
  • gfpiv
    gfpiv Member Posts: 59 Member
    #3
    I'd suggest you call your
    I'd suggest you call your onc to ensure they are okay before getting a shot...ideally maybe call them today, and get the shot today or tomorrow to give you a couple days to get it out of your system before surgery?

    Just got my shot yesterday, at my oncologist's office. He gives the shots to all patients who are interested (and don't have counterindicating factors). I'm just guessing here, but counterindications would probably be past history of adverse shot reaction (or no past flu shot history at all), or very low white blood cell count. Many of us on chemo fight with WBC, but perhaps timing of the shot within the chemo cycle (i.e. away from the "nadir", where WBCs are at lowest) might even allow some with low WBC to get it.

    Certainly seems like a fantastic proposition to me - a quick stick to reduce our odds of getting a nasty flu while dealing with the other side effects of treatment!
  • christinecarl
    christinecarl Member Posts: 543 Member
    #4
    I too got mine at the Onc
    I too got mine at the Onc office when I was there for chemo. I still get the flu shot even though I have been done with chemo for over a year
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #5
    When I was on chemo in 2005
    When I was on chemo in 2005 (Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin) there was flue vaccine shortage - my oncologist was only giving it to patients in treatment. So at least for me at that time doing the flu shot during chemo was fine.


    Betsy
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Jane822
    Jane822 Member Posts: 50
    #7
    it's ok
    It's ok and best to get the flu shot especially when on chemo. Just make sure it's not made with a live virus. My onc recommended both the flu hot and pneumonia shot. The flu shots this year include the H1N1 virus. Ou immune systems are compromised enough - best to get the flue shot now. I've had mine.

    Jane
  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
    #8
    Jane822 said:

    it's ok
    It's ok and best to get the flu shot especially when on chemo. Just make sure it's not made with a live virus. My onc recommended both the flu hot and pneumonia shot. The flu shots this year include the H1N1 virus. Ou immune systems are compromised enough - best to get the flue shot now. I've had mine.

    Jane

    Thanks for the replies. Dr
    Thanks for the replies. Dr said go ahead so got both shots today.
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #9
    Flu shot
    I got my flu shot and pneumonia shot on Thursday and started feeling bad yesterday. I've never had a flu shot make me feel bad other than a red spot on my arm but SHUCKS. I'm aching all over.


    There is a high dose flu shot for people over 65. I'm wondering if I got that instead of the regular shot. I'll be 60 in December.

    I completed chemo 14 months ago.

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