Flu Shots?

Flu shots are recommended, among others, for anyone over 50 and the immuno-compromised. Most oncs like their patients to get the flu shot.

Even though I am finished with chemo my oncologist gave me the flu shot...I'm still on Herceptin and wonder if that still makes me immuno compromized.  I get the shot every year anyways.  Even if you get the flu, it's nowhere near as bad as it is if you didn't get the shot.  It has paid off for me in the past.

marcia,

definetly get a flu shot. my whole family got theirs.. 

I'm almost 60 and have never had a flu shot.  Have lived in the same house with someone with the flu and not caught it.  Never have had the flu at all.  Maybe just lucky.  OTOH, I have not even had a cold in at least 10 years, maybe more like 15.

I do think if some worldwide epidemic occurred, I would get the flu shot.  Not otherwise, though.  I don't trust them.

Tina

Just a little off topic but has anyone seen that movie on HBO called Children of Men about a flu epidemic that happens in the future.  Pretty weird but interesting on what could happen.

Harley, why don't you ask your oncologist for his/her advice.  I know that the clinic where I had chemo recommended the flu shot for people who were currently in chemo.  I think its a matter of timing of when your wbc is in the normal range.

I've gotten the flu shot for over 10 years and never had a bad reaction other than a sore arm but I know that everyone reacts according to their own uniqueness much the same as chemo.  So, it would be your decision.  I would just try to avoid crowds, children, and close intimate situations with people who aren't family when flu season hits.

I finished my chemo in 2004 which is the year that they had a huge shortage and was unable to get the shot even though my primary tried to get me on the list and I did fine.  I did get the pneumonia vaccine that year though.  They say that most people who get the flu die from pneumonia complications.

Nobody is as big a chicken as I am.  I had my flu and pneumonia shots last night - looked like we were in the queue to go the cinema - and I sat shivering on the chair as she got everyhting ready.  My onc and GP both recommended I get them.

The chicken bit was last month when I was having daily Tanzaparin shots for a blood clot from the PICC line, and each time the nurse came to my home my DH told me I put the table between me and her.  Her notes to her colleagues said "First, catch your patient!"

I had flu in 57 and 68/9 and it was no picnic.  With a chance of compromised immunity I wouldn't stand a chance.

Big hugs

Valerie S

A flu shot is always a good idea, and chemo and rads make it even more important. The more stressed your immune system is the more you need it! I've had mine.

One does not get the flu because of the flu shot.  The virus we are given is DEAD! I haven't had mine yet.  Need to get it soon.  I do know I've had sore arms from the shot.

Shirley

This was posted by Fireweed on the research board. 

Cancer Patients Not Receiving Vital Flu and Pneumococcus Vaccines
Allison Gandey

Medscape Medical News 2007. © 2007 Medscape

October 31, 2007 (Los Angeles) - A surprising number of cancer patients are not receiving crucial vaccinations to protect them against influenza and pneumonia, researchers say. It is a huge oversight, they suggest, considering that these common infections are largely preventable and that cancer patients are so at risk. The findings were presented here at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) 49th Annual Meeting.

Asked by Medscape Oncology to comment on the work, Phillip Devlin, MD, from Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts, and the editor of ASTRO News, said, "This is a cute little study written by a young trainee that has come out with a startling and important finding.

"According to these results, we have a large number of patients who haven't received the vaccinations recommended by national guidelines, and there is clearly a gap in comprehensive care," Dr. Devlin said.

The Joint Commission and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend an annual flu shot for all patients 50 years or older and a pneumococcus vaccine for patients 65 years or older. But the guidelines call for both vaccinations across the board for all patients with generalized malignancy, given their decreased immunity to naturally occurring pathogens.

Dangerous Communication Gaps Between Physicians

The study authors report that there are dangerous communication gaps between oncologists, primary care physicians, and other doctors.

"Once a patient is diagnosed with a malignancy, they are referred to a specialist, and routine health maintenance may not be as prioritized," coauthor Neha Vapiwala, MD, from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, told reporters attending the meeting.

"The oncologist tends to be focused on treating the cancer and not the whole patient and may assume that the primary care doctor is taking care of the other issues," Dr. Vapiwala said.

She suspects that vaccinations are just the tip of the iceberg and says that, with more people surviving cancer, there are more long-term health issues to consider with these patients. "Are older cancer patients getting their cholesterol checked?" she wonders. "And are they receiving recommended colonoscopies?" The researchers are concerned that once patients are referred to specialists that many routine exams are neglected.

"It's really not clear to the patient or the physician who's responsible for what," Dr. Vapiwala said. Her team is recommending new guidelines to clarify physician responsibilities. But in the meantime, she says, improved communication is key. "If there is ever any question, pick up the phone or send an email and double check with the primary care physician and other partners. Don't assume."

Oncologists Should Take the Lead

Dr. Devlin says that when it comes to vaccinations, oncologists should take the lead. "This study suggests that cancer doctors are not pulling their weight when it comes to making sure their patients are vaccinated. This is a simple situation that, if rectified, will improve outcomes."

He says oncologists can fix this problem today by requesting that their nurses or clerks ask patients whether or not they have received their shots. "If no, then they can pitch it right there in clinic," he said. "It's a little thing that should be done that will have an important impact."

Eric Horwitz, MD, from the Fox Chase Cancer Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, told Medscape Oncology that patients and even staff at his center are currently being vaccinated. "It's actually going on right now and the vaccines are more readily available than they have been previously."

He notes that the supply of influenza vaccines in the United States was an issue a few years ago, but this problem has since been resolved and physicians at his center have been encouraged to remind patients and dispel any myths about vaccinations.

"It is not a good idea for severely immunosuppressed patients or those with specific allergies to be vaccinated," Dr. Horwitz noted, "but most patients do not fall into this category."

The study investigators, led by Stephanie Yee, MD, from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, surveyed 214 consecutive outpatients. "We had a 98% response rate," Dr. Vapiwala told reporters. "That's remarkable for a survey."

They found that more than 30% of cancer patients 65 years or older reported never having received the pneumococcus vaccine. Another 33% of patients 50 years or older reported never having received a flu shot.

The most common reasons reported by patients for not receiving a vaccine was that they did not know about it, believed they did not need it, or their physician did not recommend it. The investigators say that these 3 factors accounted for almost 80% of patient noncompliance with vaccination guidelines.

In contrast, 44% of patients who received either vaccine reported that they were asked or informed about these by their family physicians or internists. Just 7% reported having been asked or informed by their oncologists.

The researchers report having no significant financial relationships.

ASTRO 49th Annual Meeting: Poster 2641. Presented October 28, 2007.

Just got my flu shot today at 5:00 p.m. I will let you know if I should come down with flu symptoms over the next 3 days.



Love,

Terry

Harley, the stupid Navy was using these men as guinea pigs. LOL  They must have given them something different....A LIVE VIRUS!?

Who knows, Harley.  I only know what the docs tell me.  It'll be my luck that I'll come down with the stupid flu this year after telling you that ya can't get it from the shot. 

Shirley

Well, that report is being (mildly and with discretion) questioned by some other medical experts as being very flawed.  Even Dr. Timothy Johnson, the ABC medical consult, was guarded in his evaluation of it on the nightly news.

I, personally, have only one risk factor (alcohol consumption in moderation) according to the report, and have been dx twice with bc, 15 years apart.  The biggest risk factor is said to be overweight, but at my normal fighting weight of 115, I would hardly call myself that. 

I have no proper words to show, respectfully, my contempt for these theories, especially in light of the knowledge that our environment is *loaded* with carcinogens of all sorts, pesticides, radiation, etc. and still the focus is on how we may have caused our cancers by faulty lifestyles.

Tina