Optimal timing of influenza vaccination during 3‐week cytotoxic chemotherapy cycles

Abstract

The antibody responses to influenza vaccination on days 1 and 11 during a 3-week cytotoxic chemotherapy cycle were comparable. Influenza vaccination can be performed concurrently with cytotoxic chemotherapy or during the cytopenic period. Cancer 2017;123:841-48. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Anti-infective vaccination strategies in patients with hematologic malignancies or solid tumors—Guideline of the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO)

“…While some studies report a response rate similar to healthy subjects [ 43 , 54–56 ], the authors of the VACANCE trial suggest a second administration of influenza vaccine in cancer patients as this increased seroconversion from 44% to 73% [ 57 ], but further investigations are needed. It was recently shown that cancer patients can be vaccinated independent of chemotherapy and simultaneous administration vaccination and chemotherapy is possible [ 58 ].…”

Influenza vaccination in patients with cancer

“…A study by Keam et al demonstrated that influenza vaccination, regardless of timing during 3‐week cytotoxic chemotherapy cycles, may provide seroprotection . The majority of patients in this study were women with either breast or lung cancer.…”

Surveillance of the current situation regarding influenza vaccination according to medical oncologists in Japan

“…A significantly higher response was observed in the breast cancer patients who were vaccinated on day 5 compared with those who were vaccinated on day 16, whereas no significant difference was found between the corresponding 2 groups of colon cancer patients 22 . Keam et al compared influenza vaccinations on day 1 and day 11 in lung or breast cancer patients on a 3‐wk cycle of chemotherapy, and they reported that the timing of vaccination made no significant difference for antibody production 23 . There have been various published recommendations on the timing of influenza vaccination, such as 2 wk before the start of chemotherapy, 17,24‐26 1 mo after chemotherapy, and when the amount of white blood cells has recovered to more than 1000 cells/mm 27 .…”