Cancer patients must have their seasonal flu jab to ensure them against further critical illness.
Cancer patients will be immunocompromised due to their cancer and ongoing treatment. They are therefore at increased risk of complications like pneumonia or hospitalization from Flu and COVID-19.
Last year there were fewer flu cases than normal because of social distancing, mask wearing and party going restrictions. This has undoubtedly resulted in reduced population-level immunity to the seasonal flu this winter.
We are likely to undergo a severe flu season now that these COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates are being lifted
Influenza (flu) viruses spread the year-round, but flu activity generally peaks between December and February, causing an additional burden on hospitals and healthcare stress. For cancer patients this can also cause secondary risks like treatment or scanning delays.
