Ask the expert: Should I have a flu jab?

You are recommended to have an annual influenza vaccine or 'flu jab' if you have lymphoma, if you have had your spleen removed (splenectomy), if you are having chemotherapy, steroids or radiotherapy. These can suppress your immune system, making you more vulnerable to flu. People who are in close contact with you should also have the flu jab.

The timing of the flu jab is important. Ideally people should have this before they start treatment because once on treatments such as rituximab, there is evidence to suggest the flu vaccine is not as effective.

You need to be vaccinated every year as each year's vaccine is developed based on the virus strains experts think are most likely to be around in the coming year. If you are attending hospital regularly for treatment, you may be able to have your flu jab there; otherwise ask your local GP surgery. The flu vaccine does not contain live virus, so you cannot catch flu from having the jab.

Important advice:

• Aim to have the flu vaccination before you commence treatment.
• If on treatment, ask your medical team about the best time to have the vaccination.
• If you have had a transplant, you should receive the flu vaccination 6months post transplant and annually thereafter.   
• Some children have the nasal spray flu vaccine. This is a live vaccine so you should avoid children who have had it for 2 weeks following their vaccination if your immune system is weakened.

With thanks to Dr Cathy Burton, Consultant Haematologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals for answering this question.

21 September 2020

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