Introduction
- The flu (influenza) and pneumococcal vaccines are safe (inactivated) and recommended for people aged between 6 months and 65 years in a clinical risk group, and for all people aged 65 years and over.
- This includes all cancer patients, including those on steroids, chemotherapy, biological drugs and immunotherapy.
- It also includes household contacts of those on the NHS shielded patient list.
- Immunotherapy patients should have the ‘under 65’ (quadrivalent) vaccine regardless of their age.
- The shingles (HPZ) vaccine is a live vaccine and so is NOT safe for immunocompromised patients (ie patients on any treatment including steroids).