A member asked:

Do u have to have a flu shot if someone in ur family is takin chemotherapy?

6 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Dr. Devon Webster answered

Specializes in Medical Oncology

Please do!: You really should! no one will force you to have a flu shot, but you are protecting your family member. The goal of flu shots is "herd immunity"-- if almost everyone is vaccinated, very few can get the flu and transmit it to others. The flu can kill someone with a weak immune system if you pass it on to them even if you don't get very sick yourself!

Answered 1/27/2014

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Recommended: Since the person on chemotherapy is immuno-comprimized and could die from the flu it is recommended for people in contact with the patient get a flu shot. If you care about the patient with cancer you will get a flu shot to protect them.

Answered 1/27/2014

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Best to do that: Flu shots are designed to cause immunity and fight the infection so you don't pass it on and if someone is on chemo and immunosuppressed, the infection can be devastating. We want herd immunity, that is most are immune so it will not circulate in the population.

Answered 1/27/2014

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Whole family got the respiratory flu but i didn't. Why?

A doctor has provided 1 answer