Cancer patients face increased risks of severe illness from common infections due to therapy-induced immunosuppression. Marton Szell, head of the Klinik Donaustadt infection clinic, warns that these illnesses often force chemotherapy delays of two to three weeks.
Szell recommends vaccinations against influenza, , , and pneumococci, noting they do not overwhelm the immune system during treatment. While most are free in , the RSV shot is not, and no current data exists on patient vaccination rates.
Immunization is critical as respiratory viruses can cause blood vessel inflammation. Medical societies also urge high-risk heart patients to get flu shots, as the national vaccination plan indicates these vaccines significantly reduce the risk of new attacks.