Chief oncologist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation: flu vaccination can be done during cancer treatment
Quick Look
- The chief oncologist of the Russian Ministry of Health, Andrei Kaprin, said that cancer patients can be vaccinated against influenza with inactivated vaccines.
- The timing of vaccination should be agreed upon with the attending physician, especially when undergoing chemotherapy.
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Why It Matters
Influenza vaccination is a standard medical recommendation for preventing seasonal illnesses.
A flu vaccination can and should be done during treatment for cancer, but the time of vaccination must be agreed upon with the attending physician, said Andrey Kaprin, chief oncologist of the Russian Ministry of Health.
If treatment of a cancer patient is just being planned, it is advisable to vaccinate in advance, and if the patient is already receiving chemotherapy, the doctor will choose the most appropriate period between cycles.
For cancer patients, inactivated influenza vaccines that do not contain live virus are used.
MOSCOW, October 5 - RIA Novosti. A flu vaccination can be done during treatment for cancer, but the time of vaccination must be agreed upon with the attending physician, said the chief oncologist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, General Director of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrei Kaprin.
“Is it possible to get vaccinated during treatment for cancer? In most cases, it is not only possible, but also necessary... An oncological diagnosis in itself is not a contraindication to vaccination against influenza. But there is a fundamental point: the time of vaccination must be agreed upon with your doctor,” Kaprin wrote in his Telegram channel.
He clarified that if treatment of a cancer patient is just being planned, it is advisable to vaccinate in advance so that the body has time to form an immune response. If the patient is already receiving chemotherapy, the doctor will choose the most appropriate period between cycles, taking into account blood counts and general condition, the oncologist explained.
“For cancer patients, inactivated influenza vaccines that do not contain a live virus are used. The choice of a specific drug and the time of its administration is best left to the doctor who knows your medical history and treatment,” Kaprin explained.
Open Questions
- What specific blood parameters are taken into account when choosing the timing of vaccination?
