This is the time of year when everyone is supposed to get a flu shot. The vaccination is supposed to protect people who are particularly vulnerable to influenza. Kids with leukemia fit into that category. How well do the vaccinations work for them?
Protecting Kids with Leukemia from the Flu:
Treatment for leukemia makes the immune system less capable of fighting of influenza infections. A study in the Journal of Pediatrics shows, however, that flu shots did not prevent such infections in hospitalized children. They were in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital being treated for leukemia.
The study included data on 498 children being treated for acute leukemia during three different flu seasons. There were 354 youngsters who were vaccinated and 144 who were not. There was no difference between the two groups in the rates of flu-like illness and confirmed influenza.
The researchers say kids with leukemia should still get their flu shots, and so should family members. Caregivers are urged to pay special attention to washing their hands carefully. But the scientists suggest that the disturbing results from this study warrant further investigation. Perhaps future research will show ways to make flu vaccinations more effective for these vulnerable children.
Journal of Pediatrics, Oct. 16, 2017
