[Perseverance]

Flu Shot

by Perseverance on Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:46 pm

Should myeloma survivors get a flu shot? Even if on Revlimid maintenance?

[nancy524]

Re: Flu Shot

by nancy524 on Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:24 am

yes, I get one every year

[terryl1]

Re: Flu Shot

by terryl1 on Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:29 am

I was also told we should absolutely get a pneumococcal shot as well, possibly two, especially if you have immunoparesis. I just got one.

[Dr. Ken Shain]

Re: Flu Shot

by Dr. Ken Shain on Sat Oct 29, 2011 9:46 am

I recommend that all my patients receive the "Flu Shot" (influenza vaccine) and pneumococcal vaccine. While you are on therapy (or have active disease) the vaccines will not be a successful as someone with a fully intact immune response, but you will still get 20-40% of the response. This is enough of a response to benefit patients in terms of protection from these significant and potentially deadly infections.
-if you are status post high-dose therapy and transplant your transplant MD will have a vaccination schedule for you.

For the flu vaccination, please ensure that it is the "shot"- inactivated virus, not the nasal inhalation version- only attenuated virus.

I hope that everyone has a healthy flu season.

[Live4Health]

Re: Flu Shot

by Live4Health on Sat Nov 12, 2011 9:23 pm

Dr Shain,

Is it important for someone who only has the MGUS disorder to get the flu shot? Does this group of people also have a lower percentage of response?

Thank you,
Brenda