IMF Hotline Coordinators, (left to right): Paul Hewitt, Missy
Klepetar, Nancy Baxter and Debbie Birns In recent weeks we've
noticed an upswing in patients calling us (the IMF's Hotline)
wondering if they can get a flu shot and if so, which one to get
- the regular shot or this new "high-dose" one recommended for
patients 65 and older. OK. Here's the deal, blog readers! The
flu vaccine is not a live virus and is therefore safe for
myeloma patients. It is recommended annually. If one is
undergoing a stem cell transplant, they should be immunized
prior to, and 6 months after the procedure - (Pomeroy, MD and
Oken, MD - Mayo Clinic). This year, both the regular flu vaccine
and the high dose vaccine protect against three influenza
viruses that research indicates will be most common during the
upcoming season. Both will protect against 2009 H1N1, and two
other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B
virus). The high-dose vaccine is approved for use in people 65
years of age and older. Human immune defens