Vaccinations for CF patients

All Cystic Fibrosis patients should be up-to-date with their routine vaccinations (immunizations or "shots"). CF children in BC are now able to get both the flu, chicken pox and pneumococcal vaccinations for free.

Annual Influenza Vaccine

It is recommended by the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Medical Advisory Board and the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization that all CF patients receive influenza vaccine each year. It is also recommended that household contacts of people in a high-risk group (e.g. CF) receive the vaccine. Anyone receiving flu vaccine for the first time will need two doses at least 4 weeks apart. The best prevention is obtained by having the vaccine as early as possible. You are asked to contact your family physician or local public health unit to make arrangements for obtaining the vaccine. Any patient unable to have the vaccine before attending a CF clinic in the fall will be able to receive it at the Clinic. However, we are unable to give the vaccination to parents or siblings at the Clinic. If there is any problem in obtaining the vaccine, please contact the CF Clinic at 875-2146.

Pneumococcal and chicken pox vaccines

What is pneumococcal disease?

• Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria (germs) that can infect the lungs (pneumonia), the blood (bacteremia) and the brain (meningitis). The immunization helps to protect people from the risk of getting serious pneumococcal infections.
• There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines (shots):
1. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PREVNAR): This vaccine covers 7 strains of pneumococcus, and for babies born after July 2003, is part of the routine vaccination schedule (at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months). If your child is under the age of 5 years and has not had Prevnar shots, he/she should see their doctor or public health nurse and complete the pneumococcal conjugate vaccination series.
2. Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (Pneumovax ® 23): This vaccine covers 23 strains of pneumococcus, and cannot be given until two years of age. Pneumovax® 23 is given at least 8 weeks after the last Prevnar shot was given; and a one-time only second shot is given 3-5 years later, depending on how old your child was when they had the first Pneumovax ® 23 shot.

How safe are these vaccines?

They are very safe. With any vaccine, there may be some redness, swelling or pain at the place where the needle went into the arm or the leg. Sometimes people get a low-grade fever. More serious side effects, including allergic reactions occur in less than 1% of patients. Your doctor or Public Health Nurse can determine which vaccination schedule is appropriate for your child.

What is chicken pox?
It is an illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. A virus is a kind of germ that can make people sick. Chicken pox is a very common sickness. Most people get chicken pox by the time they are 15 years old.

Why is this a concern for children with CF?
Some people with CF can develop lung complications after having chicken pox. This is usually temporary, but may require hospitalization. In BC, chicken pox vaccine is routinely given to children over 12 months of age who have not had chicken pox. If your child has already had chicken pox, they do not need this shot.

How safe is the chicken pox vaccine (VARIVAX III)?
It is very safe. There may be some redness, swelling or pain at the place where the needle went into the arm or leg. Some people will get a very mild case of chicken pox 1 or 2 weeks after they get the vaccine. They will most likely have less than 50 spots. Very rarely do allergic reactions occur. If your child is on Prednisone, they should not have this shot. If your child takes inhaled steroids, such as Pulmicort, it is alright to have this shot.

These vaccinations have been funded by the BC Ministry of Health for people with CF. You may book an appointment to obtain these at your local public health unit or doctor’s office. Please inform the CF team when each vaccination was given. For more information about these vaccines, visit Health Canada’s Division of Immunization: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dird-dimr/immunization_e.html or the BC Health Guide: http://www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles/httoc.stm#P