Revised March 2006

When a child or adult is receiving cancer treatment that may be suppressing their immune system (e.g. chemotherapy), "live" immunizations (vaccines) should not be given until six months after treatment is completed.

"Killed" vaccines may be given, although it is unclear as to their effectiveness in a patient with a suppressed immune system.

Household members may receive killed or live vaccines without risk to the cancer patient except in the rare instance of extensive immunosuppression for bone marrow transplantation.

Adult patients: Immunizations for adult patients with Lymphoma, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia.

Pediatric patients: For more information about immunizations for pediatric oncology patients and their families at BC Children's Hospital, please see the Immunization guidelines (PDF).