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Flu Vaccine while on Nivolumab?
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Flu Vaccine while on Nivolumab?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Flu Vaccine while on Nivolumab?

  • Post
    • October 19, 2017 at 3:17 pm
    guynamedbilly
    Participant
      I’m in my early 30s and haven’t had the flu in over 20 years. I’ve had the flu vaccine twice during that period and both times I got sick, not flu but some cold like symptoms right after the shot.

      So normally I wouldn’t want the vaccine, but since I’m going to be around so many people with compromised immune systems, I’m thinking about it this year.

      There’s some reports of exaggerated immune response to the vaccine while on pd1 inhibitors, but no thorough studies that I’ve seen. Does anyone have experience with that?

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    • Replies
        • October 19, 2017 at 3:52 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          I got my flu shot a couple of weeks ago, my arm got super sore for a few days after, way more than pre-nivo, so the immune response is definitely stronger but nothing major and didn't get any cold-like symptoms. 

          • October 19, 2017 at 8:05 pm
          JuTMSY4
          Participant

            Got mine while on Pembro.  My doc was fine with it and I didn't have an issues other than feeling a little icky for a few days.  

            • October 19, 2017 at 10:03 pm
            Linda5
            Participant

              My doc told me not to get it while on immunotherapy (Keytruda). Personally would let your doctor make the call.

              • October 20, 2017 at 1:16 am
              mrsaxde
              Participant

                Last year while being treated with Keytruda at the local cancer center my oncologist said getting the shot was fine. This year I'm in a trial at Johns Hopkins and I thought it would be a good idea to ask again. My doctor there said getting the shot was fine, just not the nasal spray version, which uses live virus.

                  • October 20, 2017 at 1:31 am
                  guynamedbilly
                  Participant

                    Thanks everyone.  My oncologist said she thought it was fine to do if I wanted to.  I've got a pet scan coming up, so I'll get the vaccine after that.

                  • October 21, 2017 at 12:18 am
                  Ridingaroundwith27Jennifers
                  Participant

                    My oncologist was all for it last year and this year.  So far I've gotten it both years with no negative effects except some slight soreness around the injection site.  Not as bad as a tetnus shot.  I should say that since I have asthma I've been getting the flu shot as many years as it's been offered.  The one year there was a shortage and I wasn't able to get it I had a very bad case of the flu.  It took almost a month to recover.  I was nearly hospitalized.

                    • November 10, 2017 at 11:32 pm
                    Smeeeee
                    Participant

                      I am also in my early 30s. Got a flu shot the same day I had my first infusion which was just this Wednesday. Shoulder is still very tender (Friday). Have been experiencing flu-like symptoms. But given how I’m already feeling I wouldn’t want the flu proper. This is endurable. 

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