Last updated: 06/06/24
Myeloma patients are more susceptible to infection and will be encouraged to take steps to minimise the risk of picking up an infection. With winter being flu season, many patients will ask whether they can or should have the flu vaccination.
We get a lot of these inquiries through our Ask the Nurse and Myeloma Infoline services, so we thought it would be helpful to cover common questions about the flu vaccine in this blog.
Should I get my flu vaccine and where do I get it?
The annual flu vaccine is recommended for all myeloma patients.
There are two types of adult flu vaccines, both of which are given by injection. One is for people aged 18–64 years of age and the other for 65 years and over.
Both of the flu vaccines are inactivated vaccines which means are not live and only contain virus that have been killed in the laboratory, using chemicals, heat or radiation. The flu vaccines are both considered safe for myeloma patients.
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 that.
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 at the same time as my next COVID-19 vaccine?
You might be offered the flu vaccine at the same appointment for your next COVID-19 vaccine. If you are offered both vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.
Having the flu and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time will be done wherever practical and where it doesn’t cause a delay to one of the vaccines. In some cases, the vaccines may be given separately for logistical reasons.
Should I have the flu vaccine before or after my COVID-19 vaccine?
It’s important to have both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.
It is safe to have both vaccines at the same time, or separately, and in any order. The vaccines may be given separately for logistical reasons.
Do not delay getting one vaccine in anticipation of being offered the other. You should still get your flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the earliest opportunity available to protect yourself and those around you.
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 the rest week/days. However, it’s always best to speak to your doctor (haematologist) or clinical nurse specialist 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). This means that the vaccine contains a weakened version of the live flu virus. Therefore, the risk is extremely small, it is theoretically possible for the child to pass on the flu virus.
To be cautious, myeloma patients are advised to avoid close contact with anyone who has had the live vaccine for up to two weeks.
If it is difficult to avoid contact completely, try to 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.
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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