Flu shots and pneumonia shots..?

[northstar]

Its that time of year again......yeah!

*note sarcasm*

My mom is looking around to find a flu shot for herself. I was just wondering if anyone here has knowledge about effects/pros/cons of getting a flu shot while on chemo

Also, is getting a pneumonia shot beneficial at all?

My mom is afraid to move at times, afraid that something might negate the effects of her chemo. Before she made arrangements for her shot I wanted to run this by a few people and get some opinions or stories of experience. Her onc cleared her for a flu shot, didnt mention the pneumonia shot.

Thanks in advance

[Kasey]

Someone just posted a few days ago about getting a flu shot while on chemo. Sorry I cannot remember who it was!

Kasey

[northstar]

Ahhh....I should have searched before I posted! Thanks for the tip...I'll look around for it

[ginnyde]

Earl, with his doctors okay, got both a flu shot and a pneumonia shot while on chemo. I have read that the p shot is especially important for people with lc.

[Kasey]

Ginny is right! I am getting both a flu and pneumonia shot this PM. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!

Kasey

[Frank Lamb]

I was encouraged by the oncs (chemo & rad )to get a flu shot while on chemo as your immune system is usually less capable to fight off disease.Was also told to get one every year thereafter.

I was also told to get a pneumonia shot as well,however the P shots are only every 5 years.

[bunny]

my mother has been advised to get both. mind you, she's on Tarceva which is different than traditional chemo. good luck with it, she's having trouble finding a flu shot...

[northstar]

Thank you

We are currently looking around for shots. I've found a few places close by that will be administering them this month, who knows if they will have enough for the turnout though

I am surprised that the center treatment center doesnt supply them to their patients. I would think it would be part of the treatment!!

[kimblanchard]

I got my flu shot, but was told I needed to off of chemo for two months prior to the Pneumonia shot.

jim

[Don Wood]

We just visited Lucie's pulmonologist yesterday and he recommended flue and pneumonia shots for her, even though she is going through chemo. The oncologist has said the same in the past. Don

[Ry]

Your mom's PCP should have shots available. John got his at our doctor's office.

[LynneH]

Ditto to all of the info above. Jim's oncologist wanted him to get both the flu and P shot last year and he was doing chemo at the same time.

[kimmek]

My mom was going thru chemo last year when the shortage occured. Wehad all of her doctors trying to get the flu shot. Onc and all of them really seemed to think this was very very important for her to have. Just having lung cancer alone puts you in the high risk group. We will be getting her shot for this year withi n the next week or so.

Also at the same time last year she got the pheumonia shot as well. Again the doctors thought tis was a good odea. This shot is only needed every 5 years as I recently found out when trying to get her one for this year.

I would think that this is a good thing.

Kim

[northstar]

My mom has done some calling around to drs etc, but it seems like most arent getting any in and those that do will be getting he shots very late. She doesnt want to wait that long, she'd like to get it within the month

Another consideration is her fear of going out in public to very busy, crowed places. The mall is giving them this weekend, but she dares not be around all those people and she is very tired. She wouldnt be able to stand the wait in line. The chemo really has her zapped

I'll keep looking though, as will she. Glad to know that many people here have gotten the shot and havent had any weird side effects etc

[ginnyde]

Just a thought, could one of you stand in line at the mall while your Mother sits in the car. Just before her turn, have someone get her to come in.

[northstar]

Thank you for that idea!!

I dont know how mom will feel about it, most things depend on her mood and when you ask. I'm sure many can relate to that

It does sound like a feasible solution though. I know I would certainly be willing to stand in line for her!

[Ellen B.]

How is this? Seeing the answers, I get the impression that the docs in the US see no harm in flu shots.

Well, it seems to be different here.

Henk asked his pulmonologist, but this man advised against a flu shot because he is on chemo!

Ellen.

[Connie B]

An Oncologist should have access to the flu shots!

Also, so should a Pulmonologist. From all that I have learned over the years, it's up to the Oncologist if the patient gets a shot or not.

When I went through my treatments 10 years ago, My Onc and my Pulm Doc's AND my Onc Radiation Doc all agreed that I needed a flu shot, and that was right in the middle of all my treatments. So, please check with your Onc or Pulm or ALL of them regrading getting a flu shot.

In the six years that I have run an In Person Lung Cancer Support Group all of the members (in treatment or not) were all told they needed a flu and pneumonia shot. And in all the times we had Doc's come and offer advise to our members, they always said Lung Cancer Patients need a flu and pneumonia shot. LC patients would be a priority of the a flu shot. Our lungs are weak and the last thing we would need is the flu.

Also, I would think that a nurse in the Onc's office could line things up for the patient in need of a flu shot.

There may be cases in that some people will not be allowed to get the flu shot. Be it other health issues, etc... But, please always ask the Onc Doc First.

Best wishes to all.

Connie