Comments on: H1N1 & Seasonal Flu Vaccines

By: Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN

Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:55:14 +0000

Hi Inna- I would guess you will have a tough time finding it at this point, but the major flu season is over, so you can wait til next season. They usually come out in September or October, so keep your eye out or ask at any doctor’s appointments if they have gotten it yet. Many of the pharmacies and supermarket pharmacies also get them- so keep your eye out when you are getting the groceries!
take care

By: Inna B.

Inna B. — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:11:36 +0000

Thank you for information, I understand the importance of getting vaccinated. This year it was particularily difficult to get regular flu vaccine (I’ve got a H1N1); it seems that all places ran out of it very quickly before I was able to get it. Would you recommend where i could be able to get a regular flu vaccine? is it too late to get for this present year?

By: Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN

Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:48:20 +0000

A great new resource from the CDC:

The CDC is excited to announce the debut of http://cdc.gov/cancer/flu/ a new resource targeted toward cancer patients and survivors. Living with cancer increases a person’s risk for complications from having the flu. To help prepare you, anyone you know with cancer, or anyone who has had cancer in the past, CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control is answering some important questions about seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu.

By: Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN

Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:45:27 +0000

Hi Cindy
People in remission (and their household members) can follow the CDC recommendations for the general public, so long as there are no other health issues that put you in a high risk group (pregnancy, lung condition, etc). http://www.cdc.gov/

If you completed treatments in the last 6 months, you may want to discuss your risk with your oncology team, as your immune system may not have fully recovered yet and they may want you to get vaccinated.

In addition, people with hematologic malignancies (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma) and those who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants (autologous or allogeneic), can have prolonged suppression of their immune systems after treatment (lasting 1-2 years or longer) and should discuss their risk with their oncology team.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:45:36 +0000

What are the recommendations for H1N1 and Flu vaccinations for cancer patients in remission? Are there recommendations for individuals who live in the same household of patients in remission?

By: Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN

Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:04:45 +0000

I spoke with Dr. Fishman, who said it is important for people with cancer (particularly those on therapy or post transplant) to get pneumovax. For those who don’t know, pneumovax prevents the most common strains of bacteria that cause pneumonia. Dr. Fishman does advise that you not get all 3 shots at once (seasonal flu, H1N1 and pneumovax). Since H1N1 has not reached providers yet, you could start with the other two.

The CDC reccommends pneumovax for adults over 65, smokers and “people with certain health problems” – this includes health problems or treatments that weaken the immune system. People with cancer may require a second dose of pneumovax, given 5 years after the first. Patients should discuss their need for re-vaccination with their healthcare team (transplant patients may require additional doses).

By: LMF

LMF — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:19:39 +0000

One more question… Where might the pneumonia vaccination fit into the picture for cancer patients this year?

By: LMF

LMF — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:34:00 +0000

Thank you, Carolyn, for discussing my question about the novel H1N1 2009 flu out loud, and providing effective and timely communication once again between those at Oncolink and cancer patients.