Young leukemia patients who received the influenza vaccine were equally likely to develop the flu as their unvaccinated peers, according to a recent study conducted by Memphis, Tenn.-based St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, analyzed rates of influenza in 498 acute leukemia patients during three successive flu seasons. Researchers found that the 354 patients who received the flu vaccine — 98 of which received booster doses — and the 144 unvaccinated patients had the same rate of confirmed flu and flu-like illness. In addition, vaccination did not delay the onset of the flu.
The study — led by St. Jude Department of Infectious Diseases researcher Elisabeth Adderson, MD — also found that a booster dose of the flu shot did not lead to a reduction in flu or flu-like illness.
"This is preliminary data. The annual flu shot, whose side effects are generally mild and short-lived, is still recommended for patients with acute leukemia who are being treated for their disease," said Dr. Adderson. "However, the results do highlight the need for additional research in this area and for us to redouble our efforts to protect our patients through other means."
These findings suggest the need for additional precautions, such as hand hygiene and avoiding crowds during flu season, to protect high-risk patients.