Is It Safe to Get the Flu Shot During Cancer Treatment?

Flu season is around the corner, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is once again recommending that everyone over the age of 6 months gets the vaccine. The influenza virus (“the flu”) can pose greater health risks to people with cancer, many of whom have compromised immune systems, making prevention especially important. But is it safe for people with cancer to get the vaccine?

Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet that patients with cancer should absolutely get the flu shot, but they should make sure they get the shot, not the “mist.”

“Patients with cancer—especially those undergoing treatment—should definitely be vaccinated from the flu,” Dr. Geiger told SurvivorNet. “Patients with cancer are at a much higher risk of getting the flu, and of course, if they get it, they’re going to be much sicker than the average person.” Getting vaccinated, Dr. Geiger said, is the best way to prevent the flu.

Having said that, it’s important to know that there are actually two different types of flu vaccines available:

• The “shot,” which is administered through a needle in someone’s arm, and is technically an “inactive” version of the flu virus
• The “mist,” which is given as a nasal spray, and provides a “live” version of the virus.

“Patients with cancer should only get the flu shot, the inactive vaccine, as opposed to the nasal spray, the live vaccine,” Dr. Geiger said.

Family Members of Patients With Cancer Should Get the Flu Shot, Too

Patients with compromised immune systems should make sure that their family members and close friends follow get vaccinated, too, Dr. Geiger said, adding that it’s a good idea for them to stick with the shot version as well.

“For patients undergoing a stem cell transplant or very high doses of chemotherapy, I would say that their family members should not get the active flu mist. They should get the shot, too.”

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Is it Possible to Get Sick From The Flu Shot?

You can’t actually get the flu virus from getting the inactive flu shot, Dr. Geiger said. But in some cases, the shot can give you symptoms that may be similar to early symptoms of the flu.

“You certainly can feel poorly for a couple of days after,” she said. “And you can certainly have symptoms like muscle aches and pains, fatigue, and runny nose and cough. That’s not the flu, but it’s your immune system reacting to the flu shot, and that’s what we want.”

How Else Can Patients With Cancer Protect Themselves from the Flu This Season?

Even though the flu shot is generally considered the best way to prevent the flu, patients should still be cautious during flu season. Precautions that Dr. Geiger recommends to patients with cancer include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Avoid putting your hands up by your face or mouth
• If you have to cough or sneeze, do so in a tissue, throw it away, and immediately wash your hands
• Avoid crowds as best as you can, especially if there is a documented or announced outbreak within your community
• Avoid (as best you can) small children with runny noses, especially those who are in school or daycare. “It’s a breeding ground for germs and for the flu to be spread,” Dr. Geiger said.

RELATED: Unvaccinated Children May Be a Risk to Kids Going Through Chemo

What Do I Do If I Come Into Contact With Someone With the Flu During Cancer Treatment?

Of course, it’s not always possible to completely avoid those runny-nosed children and crowds. Even after taking all the proper precautions, it’s very possible that you might be exposed to someone who’s sick this flu season.

In these situations, Dr. Geiger said—that is, if you know that you’ve been in contact with someone who has the flu—it’s a good idea to tell your doctor as soon as possible.

“Regardless of whether or not they [someone with cancer] exhibit symptoms, I would recommend that they call their providers to have a discussion about whether they would benefit from a course of anti-viral [medicatoin]” Dr. Geiger said.

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