Swine Flu Vaccinations Recommended For Multiple Myeloma Patients
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced a massive fall vaccination campaign against both the seasonal influenza virus and the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Patients with multiple myeloma are recommended to receive both flu shots, in addition to a vaccine for pneumonia for influenza-related complications. The flu shots may be administered simultaneously at different injection sites on the body.
The H1N1 flu, which was initially referred to as swine flu, is responsible for thousands of hospitalizations and more than 170 deaths since the spring. Symptoms of the H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu are similar and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, tiredness, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.
Blood disorders and cancer can increase complications due to the flu. Therefore, multiple myeloma patients should take extra precautions to avoid the H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu.
A vaccine for the H1N1 virus is currently undergoing clinical trials and is expected to be available in mid-October. The CDC hoped to have 120 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine available by October 15. However, delays in the manufacturing process have reduced the expected number to only 45 million doses.
It is also still unknown if patients will need one or two doses to receive immunity against H1N1. Initial results from clinical trials conducted in the United States suggest that a single dose of the H1N1 vaccination offered adults protection within eight to ten days.
Due to limitations in dose quantities, the CDC is targeting select population groups in the initial round of vaccinations. Patients with multiple myeloma, who are considered to be a priority group for the seasonal influenza vaccination, are also advised to receive the H1N1 vaccination, due to an increased risk for influenza-related complications.
For more information about the H1N1 virus, please visit the Cancer Consultants Web site and the CDC Web site.
Update: Federal health officials announced that more than three million doses of H1N1 vaccine will be available by the first week of October, which is earlier than expected. For more information, see The New York Times.
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My husband has smoldering MM. Since I am the caretaker, will I be able to get H1N1 vaccination?
Hi Mary:
I'm going to do my best to get both. My husband is +60 days after his stem cell transplant. You might want to check out our blog about his illness, and finally remission:
If you need any moral support, I'm here for you, kiddo.
Nanette
That is a good question- should my 2 college kids and husband ( an airline pilot) get the H1N1 vaccine? Since there will be a shortage CAN they even get the vaccine? I am a myeloma patient and will get one due to our priority but what about the family members? My husbands job is so in the public, I am worried he could bring the virus home to me. Both of our children have had classmates with the H1N1 already. The universities have sent letters home to the families expressing their concern about the students and that H1N1 is already on campus and spreading!! I am a 9yr myeloma survivor and just turned 48 yrs old. I do not want this flu to take me out!! So we are washing hands more then usual , and now that I am flying, I will where a mask on the plane.
Any other suggestions?
A great question - Should & CAN the family memebers of a myeloma patient get the H1N1 vaccine? I am a 9yr. Myeloma survivor so I will get the vaccine asap. My 2 college kids have received letters sent by the university's stating their concerns and that the H1N1 is on campus and spreading. Both of our children know of students getting the H1N1. My husband also has a job that keeps him in the public - an airline pilot - we do not want him to bring the virus home. We are washing hands more then normal, and I will wear a mask if I am flying. Any other suggestions? And again - can the family members get priority like patients to get on the list to get the H1N1? Our family doctor ( In Missouri) said public health will get the vaccine but the doctor's offices will not? What is that about??
Since 4 of us are getting both of the flu vaccines it will cost us around $200. Any finacial help for those who will need it?
Hi Kathy,
As a myeloma survivor, you are considered to be part of the first priority group for the vaccine. I do not believe that family members are part of this first group for the vaccine, but they may be eligible in the subsequent rounds of vaccination. I do not know if information has been released to confirm this information, so we may have to wait until the first round of vaccines is administered in October to find out.
I was also unable to track down information for financial assistance, but if you speak to your primary physician and/or insurance company, you will probably be able to find out more information.
Best of luck,
Jessica Langholtz
How far out of SCT is it "safe" to get the flu shot?? My husband just had his Sept. 10th. Too soon??
According to Dr. Michael Boeckh, a member of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, patients who have undergone a stem cell transplant within the past six months should not get the vaccine. However, it's important that family members and caregivers be vaccinated to reduce transmission of the virus.
I am scheduled for transplant in a little over two weeks. A flu shot has been suggested. However I'm wondering if it is worth it (I'm sensitive to egg) for, at best, a couple weeks of immunity and a 30-70% effectiveness rate for the vaccine. What's recommended on this?
A few days ago I attended a MM patient and family seminar where Dr. Brian Durie was the keynote speaker. He told us that "most MM patients are not at high risk" for the H1N1 virus. That was very reassuring. I wrote a post about the seminar on my blog.
If, however, based on your own doctor's recommendations, you do decide to be vaccinated, please make sure that you get the thimerosal-free vaccine. I have decided not to have the H1N1 vaccine but will probably have the regular flu shot (the thimerosal-free version, of course!).
I just read some interesting news online. Apparently, elderberry can block the activity of H1N1 in vitro, see: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090911/Elderberry-extract-prevents-H1N1-infection-in-vitro.aspx I still have to check this out more carefully, but it looks promising.
As for wearing a mask, I read that the cheap masks that you can buy in any drugstore actually provide good (damp) breeding grounds for the H1N1 virus. I threw mine away!
I wash my hands a million times a day, and clean my nose with X-Clear. I also just bought a neti pot.
In sum, I have SMM but have decided not to have the H1N1 vaccine (too many unknowns, IMO). I will take the usual precautions, avoid crowds as much as possible, etc. And hope not to get it!
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