Pediatria pre prax 6/2005

THE VACCINATION OF CHILDREN WITH ONCOLOGICAL DISEASE

Patients with haematooncological and other tumors have immunodeficit some time after they finish the treatment. The deficit affects mainly the immunity against invasive bacterial diseases and this is the reason why a re-vaccination is recommended after 3–6 months interval with bacterial pneumococcal, Haemophillus B and Meningococcus C vaccines. Also the post-vaccination immunity is decreased, so we re-vaccinate against tetanus, whooping cough, polio and hepatitis B with inanimate vaccines according to the detected levels of post-vaccination antibodies. Vaccination with life vaccines is recommended after a minimum of 1–2 years after the end of therapy following a test of immunity parameters. It is possible to administer Influenza vaccine also during the course of chemotherapy a subsequently annually during autumn months.

Keywords: vaccination, haemato-oncological diseases, solid tumors.