re: Hypogam ... flu shots before/after Rituxan?

[Guest guest]

Re: I just read a comment regarding the need to get a flu shot at least 4

weeks before Rituxan and then, I think she's saying, a flu shot is worthless

until at least 6 months after finishing. Can you comment on the timing of

the relationship of Rituxan and flu shot?

Hi, The ideal time for a flu shot is before Rituxan - giving the normal

b-cells a chance to generate antibodies against the infectious antigen. (Of

course, this is not always possible.)

.... Otherwise, because Rituxan deletes normal b-cells, the chance from

benefit from a flu shot is low ... until the b-cells recover - I have read

that this can take 6 months to partially recover, longer for full recovery.

That said, you can still reduce your risk of flu by encouraging household

and workplace persons to get their shots on a timely basis, and washing

hands often, etc.

IMO Since the risk from a Flu shots is minimal, anyone in the gray area -

such as a few months after Rituxan - might discuss having the shot anyway.

Hope this helps.

Karl