HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Be AWARE

StephN · 11-12-2010, 06:57 PM

Hello everyone -
In my quest for a seasonal flu shot this year, I ran into a problem. There seems to be two versions, and the one that comes as a pre-packaged dose has some latex in the packaging.
Here are a few emails on the subject. BTW - I did finally get it today. Just want anyone who is sensitive to latex to know about this.

Dear Nurse -

As part of my normal health maintenance I get a flu shot.
This I tried to do while at the UW Med Center about 10 days ago. Turns out there are TWO versions this year.
One has some latex in the packaging, and when I answered that I am sensitive to latex the nurse declined to give it to me. She said I should have the vaccine called AFLURIA, which has no latex. They were out of that one, so I am asking if it is available at SCCA?

Hi Lab,
I got this email from one of our breast cancer patients, I wasn't sure how to respond regarding the latex question. Do you know?
Thanks,
Nurse

Hi Nurse,
I just checked with our lab and they only stock the vaccine with the latex packaging. I did call Employee Health and left a message with them because I'm pretty sure they stock both formulas. If that is the case, SCCA Infection Control can buy a dose from Employee Health for Stephanie. I'll let you know how we can coordinate that tomorrow.
Thanks,
Lab

Hi Stephanie,
There will be a flu shot without the latex waiting for you later today in the lab/blood draw area. The employee in the blood draw area has been made aware that you are coming. There is an order on the 3rd floor waiting for you.
Take care,
Nurse

11-12-2010, 06:57 PM	#1
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Be AWARE - FLU shot and latex Hello everyone - In my quest for a seasonal flu shot this year, I ran into a problem. There seems to be two versions, and the one that comes as a pre-packaged dose has some latex in the packaging. Here are a few emails on the subject. BTW - I did finally get it today. Just want anyone who is sensitive to latex to know about this. Dear Nurse - As part of my normal health maintenance I get a flu shot. This I tried to do while at the UW Med Center about 10 days ago. Turns out there are TWO versions this year. One has some latex in the packaging, and when I answered that I am sensitive to latex the nurse declined to give it to me. She said I should have the vaccine called AFLURIA, which has no latex. They were out of that one, so I am asking if it is available at SCCA? Hi Lab, I got this email from one of our breast cancer patients, I wasn't sure how to respond regarding the latex question. Do you know? Thanks, Nurse Hi Nurse, I just checked with our lab and they only stock the vaccine with the latex packaging. I did call Employee Health and left a message with them because I'm pretty sure they stock both formulas. If that is the case, SCCA Infection Control can buy a dose from Employee Health for Stephanie. I'll let you know how we can coordinate that tomorrow. Thanks, Lab Hi Stephanie, There will be a flu shot without the latex waiting for you later today in the lab/blood draw area. The employee in the blood draw area has been made aware that you are coming. There is an order on the 3rd floor waiting for you. Take care, Nurse __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.