Can Individuals With Cancer Be Around Vaccinated Children?

In the United States most children and adolescents receive childhood vaccinations on a regular schedule based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These vaccinations start at birth and include:

• Hepatitis A and B
• Diptheria
• Tetanus
• Pertussis (DPT)
• Inactivated polio
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Influenza (killed or live vaccine)
• Pneumococcal
  

All of the vaccines listed above are inactivated or "killed" vaccines EXCEPT for varicella (chickenpox) or the "live" influenza or "flu" shot which is called FluMist. These 2 vaccines are "live" vaccines which are made from a weakened virus. Even though it is rare when a child (or adult) is given 1 of these 2 live vaccines, they could transmit the disease to susceptible people (like individuals with cancer).

It is important if you are an individual with cancer and a family member or someone living in your household is to be or has been vaccinated that you check with your physician to see if you should avoid contact with the vaccinated person.

If you would like more information you can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by phone 800-232-4636 by email at NPINFO@cdc.gov or mail to:
NIP Inquiries
Mailstop E-05
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333