Ask the Nurse: The flu vaccine
Myeloma patients are more susceptible to infection and are encouraged to take steps to minimise the risk of picking up an infection. With autumn vaccination programmes starting soon and the winter flu season approaching, many patients ask whether they can or should have the flu vaccination.
Here we explore some of the questions our Myeloma Infoline team are asked about the flu vaccine.
Should I get my flu vaccine and where do I get it?
The annual flu vaccine is recommended for all myeloma patients. Several flu vaccine products are used in the NHS vaccination programme. The specific vaccine offered may vary according to your age and circumstances, but the flu vaccines routinely offered to adults are non-live vaccines which means they do not contain the live flu virus and cannot cause the flu. They are considered safe for people with myeloma.
You can have your NHS flu vaccine at:
- Your GP surgery
- A local pharmacy offering the service
- A hospital
If you have your flu vaccination at a pharmacy, you do not have to inform your GP. It’s up to the pharmacist to do so.
Who can get a free flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is free for people who are at increased risk of catching the flu. This includes those people who have weakened immune systems, such as myeloma patients. The flu vaccine is also free for those who live with or care for someone with a weakened immune system.
Read more about the flu vaccination programme (and who can get a free flu vaccine) where you live:
Other people who are not included in these groups may be able to pay for a flu vaccine at some pharmacies.
Can I have the flu vaccine alongside other seasonal vaccines?
You might be offered the flu vaccine at the same time as other seasonal vaccines like the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are offered more than one vaccine, it is generally safe to have them at the same time.
Where practical, vaccines for the flu and COVID-19 may be given together. In some cases, the vaccines may be offered separately for logistical reasons.
If you are offered more than one vaccination, make sure the healthcare professional giving the vaccines is aware of your myeloma and any recent or upcoming vaccinations. If you are unsure about the best timing for your seasonal vaccinations, speak with your GP or haematology team.
I am currently on treatment, when is it a good time to have the flu vaccination?
Typically, flu vaccination programmes start in the early autumn and continue until the following spring.
Myeloma patients are generally advised to have their flu vaccination either when treatment has finished or during a rest week/days off treatment. However, it’s always best to speak to your healthcare team about this for some further guidance.
The immune response to vaccination takes around 10–14 days to develop fully and should, where possible, be given in sufficient time to ensure patients are protected before flu starts circulating. However, if this length of time is not possible, you should still have the vaccination, as it will still provide some protection from the flu.
Is the flu vaccine 100% effective?
Studies have shown that although the flu vaccine will help prevent you from getting the flu, it will not stop all flu viruses and the level of protection may vary. This means that it is still possible for you to get the flu.
However, if you do get flu after vaccination, it’s likely to be milder and you are likely to recover more quickly than if you had not been vaccinated.
Can I catch the flu from my flu vaccine?
No, you will not catch the flu from the flu vaccine.
However, some people can feel a bit unwell after receiving the flu vaccine. Common side effects of receiving the vaccine can include:
- Pain, swelling or redness at the injection site.
- General feeling of being unwell (malaise).
- Low-grade fever.
- Shivering and sweating.
- Fatigue (tiredness).
- Headache.
However, these symptoms usually disappear within one to two days.
Can I catch the flu from a child who has received the nasal spray live flu vaccine?
The child’s flu vaccine, given as nasal spray to children under 18 years of age, is a ‘live’ virus (also known as an attenuated vaccine). Because this version of the flu vaccine contains a weakened version of the live flu virus, it is theoretically possible for the child to pass on the flu virus to others – although the risk is extremely small.
To be cautious, people living with myeloma are advised to avoid close contact with anyone who has had the live vaccine for up to two weeks. However, if it is difficult to avoid contact completely, try to instead avoid very close physical contact (e.g. hugs and kisses) with the child and take extra care to wash hands regularly for the two weeks following the child’s flu nasal spray vaccination.
The risk of contracting infections can vary from patient to patient, depending on their health and their myeloma. Your healthcare team can discuss safety and your specific circumstances if you know a child you are close with is due to have their nasal flu vaccine.
More information
For more information about vaccines and infections, you can read our Infection and myeloma and Vaccines and myeloma Infosheets or explore our Ask the Nurse blog about managing infections with myeloma.
If you have any further questions or need support, contact us through the Myeloma Infoline at 0800 980 3332 (UK) or 1800 937 773 (Ireland) or use our Ask the Nurse email service.
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