Flu shot anyone?

Hi Gilly

I have never had flu shot either but my oncologist suggested that now due to our compromised immunity, it would be a benefit to get it....so, I will get my first flu shot this year & before every winter.

Take care...Jen x

 

I had a flu shot just before my chemo. It was actually my own idea. To be honest I was a bit annoyed that my oncologist didn't suggest it to me herself  as it just seems like a no brainer to me. You are so vulnerable to infections while on chemo and if you can at least prevent the flu - which can be life threatening especially for those in a weakened state - why not do it. Particularly when we are heading into winter when the flu seems to be more prevalent. (I had my chemo over the winter months of 2012.)

I had my shot about a week before chemo and my oncologist had no objection to me having it. I had absolutely no adverse reactions to it. I think the idea that you get a cold from it is a myth. Good luck with your chemo Gilly. I hope it goes as smoothly as possible. Janet :)

 

I was never a fan of the flu shot but I had to fly from Cairns to Brisbane for chemo and so my oncologist insisted I have it. That was 3 years ago and I have had the shot every year since. I have never had any problems. The flu vaccine is actually a killed vaccine and as such you can't catch anything from it. Your friends catching colds would probably have caught them anyway. I used to think I had had the flu lots until I actually got it once. It is very different to a cold and much more debilitating. I was flat on my back in bed with aches all over and fevers for 3 weeks and it took longer than that to recover fully. Having said that, I actually had chemo twice due to a recurrence and the first time I didn't get the flu shot , or the flu. I guess I would base my decision on what the oncologist recommends and why. Also if you work with lots of people or are exposed to potentially sick people then I would definitely get it. It's a hard call, and one that people have debated about for years. Good luck with the decision and also the rest of your chemo Paula

I was never a fan of the flu shot but I had to fly from Cairns to Brisbane for chemo and so my oncologist insisted I have it. That was 3 years ago and I have had the shot every year since. I have never had any problems. The flu vaccine is actually a killed vaccine and as such you can't catch anything from it. Your friends catching colds would probably have caught them anyway. I used to think I had had the flu lots until I actually got it once. It is very different to a cold and much more debilitating. I was flat on my back in bed with aches all over and fevers for 3 weeks and it took longer than that to recover fully. Having said that, I actually had chemo twice due to a recurrence and the first time I didn't get the flu shot , or the flu. I guess I would base my decision on what the oncologist recommends and why. Also if you work with lots of people or are exposed to potentially sick people then I would definitely get it. It's a hard call, and one that people have debated about for years. Good luck with the decision and also the rest of your chemo Paula