Timing isn't everything: Influenza vaccination in cancer patients. Issue 5 (20th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dulek, Daniel E.; Halasa, Natasha B.
• Is Part Of: Cancer. Volume 123:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 731
• Page End: 733
• Publication Date: 2016-12-20
• Subjects: Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Cytopathology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30467
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-543X

Abstract

Abstract : Influenza vaccination is a critical intervention for improving the health of cancer patients with yearly influenza immunization recommended by the CDC. Influenza vaccine studies in cancer patients generally demonstrate impaired influenza vaccine responses in comparison with age‐matched, healthy controls. The present study by Keam et al. defined the effect of vaccine timing with respect to cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens on immunogenicity and adverse events after influenza vaccination in cancer patients with solid malignancies. No significant differences in post‐vaccination serologic response or adverse event frequencies were found between patients vaccinated concurrent with cytotoxic chemotherapy administration and patients vaccinated during the cytopenic period post‐chemotherapy administration. Further study is warranted to better define optimal timing and interventions to improve influenza vaccine immunogenicity in this at‐risk population. See also pages 841‐8.