[mikeb]

Re: One year post transplant - immunization

by mikeb on Sat Nov 15, 2014 12:05 pm

Hi,

From what my medical team has said, it sounded to me like re-vaccinations after an ASCT were pretty standard (as Multibilly said).

I got the following starting at 14 months after my ASCT:

• Polio
• Tdap
• Pneumococcal Conjugate
• Hib

I've been getting several rounds of these vaccinations since then, but have not kept up with which ones when. I am now at +18 months since the ASCT.

On a related note, during my doctor visit in earlier this month, I got my regular Zometa infusion as well as a flu shot. I ended up feeling pretty yucky the evening of the following day, with chills and other flu-like symptoms. I got a good night's sleep and was pretty much back to normal the next day. My theory is that the Zometa and flu shot had some sort of synergistic effect when I got them together, making normally mild side effects of each a little rougher.

Has anyone else experienced this when getting Zometa and a flu shot together?

Mike

[SandyR]

Re: One year post transplant - immunization

by SandyR on Sun Nov 16, 2014 10:34 am

Nancy,

We must both go to the same hospital. My multiple myeloma specialist also does not recommend immuni­za­tions after transplant. It does worry me when other doctor do follow that protocol and my doctor doesn't.

[kullybunnny1]

Re: One year post transplant - immunization

by kullybunnny1 on Sun Nov 16, 2014 10:50 am

This is why I visit the Myeloma Beacon ... the various approaches to treatments.

Some, like myself, have gone through an ASCT while others are headed towards the procedure. I was presented a course of treatment that finalized with the 1 year post transplant visit. I was told that immunizations needed to be restored; however, live vaccines would not be addressed till the 2 year point.

Really appreciated the CDC guidelines link but still question why some are not receiving vaccinations on the same timeline or even at all. Is it a stage; age; or response to treatment type protocol?

Thanks again for the thread!

Kully

[Multibilly]

Re: One year post transplant - immunization

by Multibilly on Sun Nov 16, 2014 1:32 pm

This link from Fred Hutch center provides their rationale for vaccination and the separate guidelines as set forth by the CDC, Canada and Europe (just follow the links in the post).

http://www.fredhutch.org/en/treatment/long-term-follow-up/FAQs/vaccination.html

[wesley]

Re: One year post transplant - immunization

by wesley on Tue Nov 18, 2014 5:27 pm

I am about to be reimmunized. I had transplant in Feb. 2014 at Mayo Rochester. I was advised by my Mayo doc to decline the measles vaccine (but not rubella), as having the measles vaccine would eliminate the opportunity to use massive doses down the road as a cure. Mayo is in the early stages in experimenting with this approach (it is not in widespread use). It sounds like there is a fair amount of variability in immunization schedule and type across centers

Wesley

[GeorgeLJurak]

Re: One year post transplant - immunization

by GeorgeLJurak on Tue Nov 18, 2014 6:05 pm

The most important thing to remember is that you should not get any "LIVE" shots. Example: The shingles shot.

[wesley]

Re: One year post transplant - immunization

by wesley on Tue Nov 18, 2014 7:12 pm

My list includes varicella live vaccine at 24 months. And MMR at 24 months, although, as I men­tioned in an earlier post, I will not do MMR due to the loss of potential to use measles vaccine as a "cure", if that in fact pans out ...

[Blackbird]

Re: One year post transplant - immunization

by Blackbird on Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:56 am

Interesting comment about the measles vaccine. I'll keep that in mind when the time comes.