Hi All
All in UK will be aware that the H32N influenza virus is very prevalent in some parts of UK-especially according to a media article in Daily Telegraph in Birmingham North London and parts of North East .Even if you have been jabbed as this specific virus has mutated six times since the summer so it can evade the immunity built up from the vaccine.It is estimated that 1 flu case can pass it on to up to 140 others.
When we had Covid the rules in the Green Book of the NHS recognised that blood cancers like CML gave us the status as vulnerable and we qualified .The rules for the flu vaccine eligibility are a bit more vague and unless you are over 65 and a few other categories you have to pay for it yourself usually at a Pharmacy.
I would regard myself as immuno- suppressed partly because of age and partly because of the treatment by tkis -there is a category called patients who are immuno suppressed who can have the jab for free.Those living in a household with those like ourselves who are immuno suppressed also qualify for free(even if under 65).
If you use a pharmacy you sign a form with your details and tick the box for the reason to get it free-no questions asked as Pharmacies are reimbursed by NHS;Gps might ask questions in my experience!
I dont know a lot about the immune system but I watched an old programme presented by Dr Michael Mosley (now deceased ) and he stressed that as we age the thymus declines (located as a gland under the upper breast bone) and by 80 years old disappears )-it helps in the T cells process .Look on You Tube for good explanations.He also from his research found that those who did lots of exercise as they aged such as 80 plus cyclists in their muscles built up valuable positive immunities .
As an ageing patient with a number of comorbities to CML and specifically after a so called super bacterial infection (consultants words) in Jan/Feb 2025 it developed into late age asthma.The respiratory consultant that I saw was also an expert on immunity .Apart from tests and prescribing various steroid inhalers he sent off a blood named Pneumoccal Panel test-it came back as me being deficient in 10 out of 13 serotypes (indicators or measures of presence of antibodies) .He suggested a booster of Pneumovax pneumonia jab;I was highly vulnerable to pneumonia (sepsis and meningitis as well perhaps).I had a big problem persuading my GP to give it to me on the NHS -Chapter 25 of the green book said you dont qualify -only active chemotherapy and high dose steroids etc did .Eventually I got it free as the consultant demanded it.
The follow up panel test to the booster now shows only 3 serotypes are deficient out of thirteen -it worked .The suggestion now is to have Prevanar a conjugated pneumonia vaccine that is even more effective to help the 3 deficient ones-I am sure that my GP wont give it to me free but I can afford £140 to have it done a a specific pharmacy.
I hope my story illustrates how important it is to gain protection if you think you are immuno suppressed
Long ago I was told CML probably wont get but for sure something else will.
Keep safe
Regards
John