Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, AOCN

Flu vaccine information is everywhere you turn these days, from the supermarket to the news.  Many people with cancer may be wondering how they can best prevent getting sick and if they should be vaccinated against the flu, both seasonal and H1N1 (often called Swine flu).  Here’s the facts…

According to Neil Fishman, MD, associate professor of Infectious Disease and director of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control at The University of Pennsylvania, all immunosuppressed individuals should receive the influenza vaccines (both seasonal and H1N1).  This includes people receiving cancer treatment. These patients should only receive the injected vaccines and not the inhaled forms of the vaccines, which use a live virus.  It would be best to time the vaccine to when they are the least immunosuppressed in order to guarantee maximal response.  So, they should not receive the vaccine during their nadir (the time when blood counts are at their lowest, typically 7-14 days after treatment).  Talk with your healthcare team about the best time for you to get vaccinated.  You can receive both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines at the same time.

Dr. Fishman stresses that the novel H1N1 influenza virus is not any more dangerous than seasonal influenza at this point. It is no more deadly, but we need to take the same precautions we take for seasonal influenza.

Remember, while receiving cancer treatment, you are at an increased risk of getting infections, including colds and flus, particularly when your blood counts are low.  What precautions should you take as a patient receiving cancer therapy?  Most importantly, wash your hands often- it is the easiest, most effective way to prevent the spread of infections.  Keep hand sanitizer in your bag, desk, car or anywhere you may not be able to access a sink for handwashing.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth- that’s how germs get in.  It is perfectly acceptable to not shake hands or ask people who are sick (or have sick people in their household) to not visit you.  Ask any visitors to wash their hands upon arrival and, whenever possible, avoid places with crowds of people, particularly when your blood counts are at their lowest.  Have other members of your household get vaccinated as well- you don’t want them bringing these infections into your house where it will be harder to avoid.

Even the best handwashers get sick, so don’t blame yourself if you do.  Get plenty of rest and fluids and help prevent the spread of the flu to others by staying home when you are sick.

Now roll up your sleeve- this won’t hurt a bit!

Also see Ask the Experts: Exposure to People After Vaccines.