Immunosuppression
Cancer or its treatment can lower your resistance to infection. This is called immunosuppression or being immunocompromised and you may be more at risk of catching infections such as Covid or the Flu. If you get Covid or Flu and have lower immunity, you are more likely to become very ill. For example, you could develop a complication such as a chest infection (pneumonia).
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We are considered Immunocompromised once we begin Immunotherapy treatment. Your GP should be aware of this and you should automatically receive invites for both Flu and Covid boosters and you should explore the options for Shingles and any other viruses in circulation. Please let your GP surgery know if you don't and get your details updated.
Flu Vaccination
The flu vaccination makes it less likely that you will catch flu. If you have had the vaccine and do get flu, there is a greater chance of a quicker recovery.
The flu virus changes each year so you need to have the vaccine again each year. This is to protect yourself against the most common type of flu predicted for that year.
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Some cancer treatments lower immunity and lower your resistance to flu. These include:
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chemotherapy
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radiotherapy
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some targeted cancer drugs
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some immunotherapy treatments
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long term steroids
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removal of the spleen - an organ in the body that is part of the immune system
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After cancer treatment, your resistance to infection might be low for some months or years.
Your GP or cancer specialist will usually recommend that you have the flu vaccine if one of these applies to you. Depending on your situation, they may suggest you continue with regular flu vaccines once your treatment has finished. But do check with them and ask when it is best to have it.
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​The flu vaccination is free to people at increased risk of catching flu. This includes people with low immunity due to disease or treatment, such as cancer treatment.​
When to have it?
If you are due to start treatment and have not already had the flu vaccine you should have it at least 2 weeks before you begin treatment. This is to allow time for your body to produce antibodies which help protect against the flu virus. If this is not possible, vaccinating between courses of immunotherapy is safe and effective. For it to be effective it should be given just before your next cycle of immunotherapy or within a couple of days afterwards. The vaccine may be given at any point during a course of radiotherapy.
Free Covid Tests
Free Covid tests are available from your local pharmacist. It is not widely publicised, but if you explain that you are Immunocompromised due to your cancer treatment, then they should let you have them.
Covid Vaccination
Cancer and its treatment can weaken your immune system, meaning you are less able to fight infections. The immune system protects your body against infections caused by viruses like coronavirus.
As per the presentation by Dr Lennard Lee, we are advocates of protecting ourselves against additional risks to our health. If nothing else, contracting Covid, may mean an interruption to your cancer treatment.
Shingles Vaccination
As per Covid & Flu, we should take every opportunity to accept extra help to protect us from any additional complications. Shingles can be very nasty with unpleasant consequences, so please speak to your GP or Oncologist, to request a vaccination as per the NHS guidelines for those of us who are immunocompromised.