Question

Danny is a 4 year old boy who was diagnosed with leukemia 6 months ago and is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment. He presents in the clinic for a well child checkup.

1. After reviewing the CDC immunization schedule (located in your lab module) outline which immunizations Danny is due for.
2. Will you provide all immunizations for Danny? Are there any immunizations that are contraindicated? If so, which ones and WHY?
3. What are the common side effects of immunizations?

Answer 1

The CDC immunization pending for this child is 5th dose of Diphtheria, pertusis and tetanus vaccine, 4th dose of inactivated polio vaccine, inactivated influenza vaccine 1 or 2 doses, 2nd dose of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine and varicella vaccine.

Sine the child is diagnosed with leukemia and undergoing chemotherapy, Immune respnse is suppressed due to cancer chemotherpay. So, it is recommended to start the immunization 3 months after chemotherapy because the immune response returns after this duration. Immuniztion during chemotherapy is not recommended with inactivated vaccines. If vaccines are given during chemotherapy, the body will not show immune response to immunization due to immunosuppression with chemotherapy.

The common side effects of immunization includes fever, rigor, joint pain, head ache, rashes.