I had tandem stem cell transplants last year. My youngest child is in daycare and has not had chicken pox. Where we live this vaccine is not included in the standard childhood immunisation program, and my multiple myeloma doctor says it will not be included in my post stem cell transplant vaccination program either, which really surprises and worries me, as even for an adult without myeloma, getting chicken pox can lead to complications.
Is it unusual, or somewhat common, to get chickenpox after one or more stem cell transplants? Should I insist on having this vaccine, or should I simply trust my doctor and hope I won't get it?
I don't think my doctor ever met a patient with such young children before, and sometimes I think she is on autopilot, treating me just like the usually older patients who don't spend most of their time with potentially chicken pox-infected 4 year olds.
Forums
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Myosotis - Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 37
Re: Should I have the chicken pox vaccine?
Hello,
I became ill with chicken pox ten years ago at the age of 53, it was a very unpleasant experience and I can only say that if you can organise a vaccination it would be to your advantage, it is one illness you definitely need to avoid as an adult.
Kind Regards,
Victor L
I became ill with chicken pox ten years ago at the age of 53, it was a very unpleasant experience and I can only say that if you can organise a vaccination it would be to your advantage, it is one illness you definitely need to avoid as an adult.
Kind Regards,
Victor L
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Victor L - Name: Victor L
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Should I have the chicken pox vaccine?
I had an autologous stem cell transplant in May 2015 and have a schedule of vaccinations to complete. The varicella vaccine is due 24 months post transplant and needs a titre checked in case of repeat dose.
John
John
Last edited by JohnHamill on Thu Jan 19, 2017 3:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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JohnHamill - Name: John Hamill
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 50
Re: Should I have the chicken pox vaccine?
Hello Myosotis,
I also had the varicella vaccine two years after my autologous stem cell transplant, in January 2012, and then had a booster shot one month later.
Hope that helps!
I also had the varicella vaccine two years after my autologous stem cell transplant, in January 2012, and then had a booster shot one month later.
Hope that helps!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Should I have the chicken pox vaccine?
Myosotis,
It's a mixed bag out there when it comes to getting the varicella-zoster vaccine post-transplant, at least in the USA.
Note these two posts from the CDC and Fred Hutch:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6002a1.htm
https://www.fredhutch.org/en/treatment/long-term-follow-up/FAQs/vaccination.html#2
In the case of getting the varicella vaccine post-transplant, the CDC states it should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with each transplant patient and should not be done earlier than 24 months post-transplant.
So, if I were you, I would re-evaluate things at your two year transplant anniversary. If you are diligent in looking out for shingles (assuming you had chickenpox as a kid), you can often nip it in the bud (or at least greatly reduce the symptoms) with acyclovir treatment.
I've been going back and forth with my GP and oncologist about potentially getting a varicella vaccine as a smoldering patient with a still-decent immune system. It's not an easy decision.
It's a mixed bag out there when it comes to getting the varicella-zoster vaccine post-transplant, at least in the USA.
Note these two posts from the CDC and Fred Hutch:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6002a1.htm
https://www.fredhutch.org/en/treatment/long-term-follow-up/FAQs/vaccination.html#2
In the case of getting the varicella vaccine post-transplant, the CDC states it should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with each transplant patient and should not be done earlier than 24 months post-transplant.
So, if I were you, I would re-evaluate things at your two year transplant anniversary. If you are diligent in looking out for shingles (assuming you had chickenpox as a kid), you can often nip it in the bud (or at least greatly reduce the symptoms) with acyclovir treatment.
I've been going back and forth with my GP and oncologist about potentially getting a varicella vaccine as a smoldering patient with a still-decent immune system. It's not an easy decision.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Should I have the chicken pox vaccine?
Interesting discussion especially since i was going to post on the shingles vaccine issue myself.
I have seen the articles linked above and know that there are some differing opinions. My oncologist was opposed to the vaccine post-transplant while I was still on Revlimid maintenance. I have now been off of Revlimid for about ten months, and my oncologist has told me that I can have the vaccine. I still have not gotten it, but I plan to soon.
I have seen the articles linked above and know that there are some differing opinions. My oncologist was opposed to the vaccine post-transplant while I was still on Revlimid maintenance. I have now been off of Revlimid for about ten months, and my oncologist has told me that I can have the vaccine. I still have not gotten it, but I plan to soon.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Should I have the chicken pox vaccine?
Thank you everyone for your replies, they are very helpful.
I did not know it's not recommended to have live vaccines until 24 months post transplant. Now I just hope we won't get chicken pox here at home, as I just learned one child in my daughter's daycare got it. Unless it is already too late, at least I can make sure she gets the vaccine.
I did not know it's not recommended to have live vaccines until 24 months post transplant. Now I just hope we won't get chicken pox here at home, as I just learned one child in my daughter's daycare got it. Unless it is already too late, at least I can make sure she gets the vaccine.
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Myosotis - Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 37
Re: Should I have the chicken pox vaccine?
Hi Myosotis,
Should you have a documented exposure before your 2-year anniversary, you might ask your doctors about varicella zoster immune globulin (variZIG). It has high levels of antibodies to varicella to get you some protection if needed.
Hope this is all a false alarm.
Rick
Should you have a documented exposure before your 2-year anniversary, you might ask your doctors about varicella zoster immune globulin (variZIG). It has high levels of antibodies to varicella to get you some protection if needed.
Hope this is all a false alarm.
Rick
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rick - Name: rick
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: nov 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 50
Re: Should I have the chicken pox vaccine?
Hello Myositis,
I also took Acylovir for two years after transplant and before getting the live vaccines, as well as Septra (an antibiotic) to prevent bacterial infections. I wrote a column about getting my vaccines also, that you might like to read. I live in Canada, but your process of getting vaccines might be similar.
Shamanna, N, "Northern Lights: Getting My CV In Order," The Myeloma Beacon, August 9, 2012
Good luck with everything!
I also took Acylovir for two years after transplant and before getting the live vaccines, as well as Septra (an antibiotic) to prevent bacterial infections. I wrote a column about getting my vaccines also, that you might like to read. I live in Canada, but your process of getting vaccines might be similar.
Shamanna, N, "Northern Lights: Getting My CV In Order," The Myeloma Beacon, August 9, 2012
Good luck with everything!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Should I have the chicken pox vaccine?
I was told by my oncologist never to get a vaccine that was a live vaccine, as the chicken pox vaccine is. I had shingles about months after my stem cell transplant. I recognized what it was immediately and began treatment with acyclovir that day.
I had a relatively mild case of shingles, although I didn't feel well for almost 2 weeks. I had it on the left side of my head into my left eye. I still have some problems with my eye from the shingles and am on acyclovir 800 mg 2x per day and a steroid drop for my eye daily. I will be on both of these forever.
My oncologist also doesn't recommend getting revaccinated after the transplant. He said that our immune systems are compromised enough that the vaccinations probably wouldn't do any good. He also said that because we are receiving our own stem cells that our antibodies that were developed previously should still be there. He does recommend getting the flu shot annually for whatever protection we might develop from it, and the pneumonia vaccine.
Nancy in Phila
I had a relatively mild case of shingles, although I didn't feel well for almost 2 weeks. I had it on the left side of my head into my left eye. I still have some problems with my eye from the shingles and am on acyclovir 800 mg 2x per day and a steroid drop for my eye daily. I will be on both of these forever.
My oncologist also doesn't recommend getting revaccinated after the transplant. He said that our immune systems are compromised enough that the vaccinations probably wouldn't do any good. He also said that because we are receiving our own stem cells that our antibodies that were developed previously should still be there. He does recommend getting the flu shot annually for whatever protection we might develop from it, and the pneumonia vaccine.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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