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Flu Jabs

Hi all,

I have received a letter through the post from my GP surgery inviting me to get my flu jabs done. Meanwhile, my Haematologist has implied in the past that it would not be necessary for me to have these. I just wondered if anyone else has had advice on this? Has anyone been encouraged to have the jab?

Interestingly I have had far fewer colds etc since starting on dasatinib at the time of diagnosis this time last year. I am worried that simply having the jab may cause me to become ill - I have rightly or wrongly heard this to be the case with others.

Thanks
Clare

There's all sorts of talk about this...my G.P. considers me vulnerable, so offers it, but the Consultant said it was unneccessary as I'm not "immuno-compromised" whilst my white cell count is being kept within the "normal" limits.


Like you, I have found a strange absence of colds since being on Dasatinib which, considering I work with Primary School children, is quite astonishing!

I had the jab last week and have had no ill effects from it at all. What I would say is that we can find ourselves vulnerable to getting infections if we do catch a cold and, I don't know about anyone else, but I would far rather avoid infection than have endless anti-biotics. I have also had the pneumonia jab as this is considered advisable and does last ten years.

Anyway, that's just my story!

xx

It is  my understanding that so long as your white cell count is normal you are no more or less vulnerable than non CMLers, whether to flu or the jab.  Your consultant will know and understand your own situation far better than your GP.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Richard

I have had the jabs this year and last (which was fairly soon after diagnosis) and have suffered no side effects.  I am on imatinib, and also am over 65 so I would have been offered the jab in any case.  I would prefer to have all the immunisation going!

I am treated at Hammersmith and have been told by my consultants to continue with the flu jab which I have been doing since DX 6 years ago. I have also been told to have the Pneumonia jab which is normally given every 10 years but have been advised to have it every 3 years due to the effect by the TKI's. I was also advised again to have the swine flu jab 2 doses which I had a year ago at the height of the panic. I have just had my second jab today.

My PCR is 0.009 and blood counts are in the normal range. I suppose the thinking is that the counts are only controlled by the tablets and if one was to get a bad dose of something this could effect the way the tablets react to the flu etc so prevention may be better than cure.

Regards

Steven

Thanks for all your advice.  I am only 23 so wouldn't usually be offered the jab!  I am back living at home and my parents were wondering if it would help for them to have the jab (Mum also works with children so extra risk of bringing home colds).  Great to hear that it isn't just me that has had contradictory advice! Thanks

In the 12 years since my diagnosis I have never had a vaccination against Flu. I did have a pneumovax after my transplant but that was recommended only because I my spleen was removed just after diagnosis because it was so massively enlarged and the plan then was to transplant me immediately- as it turned out I was able to access imatinib by joining the phase ll trial in the US so the sct was put on hold.

As Richard says, as long as your white cell counts are in normal ranges then you are no more at risk of infection than any healthy person. Your ph+ white cells (CML cells) are kept at low levels by TKI's and so the majority of cells produced by your marrow (and therefore circulating in your peripheral blood) are entirely as they should be and will respond to infections- bacterial and viral- in the usual way. i.e your lymphocytes will mount an immune response to deal with the cold/flu/or whaterever infection you might contract. The symptoms of colds and flu etc are a sign that you body is dealing with it. Raised temperature/running nose/sneezing/aches and pains etc are part and parcel of the immune response. This is how it works- admittedly not very nice when it is happening but essential if we are to get well.

As long as you have an optimal response to whatever TKI you are taking, then there is no need to worry about whether you are 'exposed' to infections so your parents should not worry. Of course, if you feel you would like the extra insurance of a Flu vaccination then you should have one.

My parents - in their 80's, but both very fit and active- have recently decided not to have their flu jabs this year, because in previous years they have not been protected from that current years flu virus. 

It is entirely up to you, but if you are fit and healthy with normal white cell levels then you should be able to deal with seasonal flu virus quite normally. ...

best wishes,

Sandy