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Author: Maria Yiallouros, erstellt am: 2009/07/29, Editor: PD Dr. med. Gesche Tallen, Reviewer: Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Günter Henze, English Translation: Hannah McRae, Last modification: 2020/05/15

Whether a child can be vaccinated during a certain treatment phase or not depends on the individual situation. Therefore, immunizations should only be done in agreement with the doctor who is in charge of the cancer treatment. After chemotherapy, previous vaccination coverage usually does no longer exist. Nevertheless, immunizations should not be renewed immediately after the completion of cancer treatment or before the patient's immune system has sufficiently recovered.

Getting vaccinated after therapy is over

• After chemotherapy, the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH), the German Society of Pediatric Hematology and Infectious Diseases (DGPI) and the Permanent Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommend to wait three to six months before vaccinating with a dead vaccine, and at least six months before vaccinating with a life vaccine.
• After stem cell transplantation (autologous and allogeneic), it is recommended to wait at least six months before vaccinating with a dead vaccine, and at least 24 months before vaccinating with a life vaccine.
• After treatment with new methods / substances (like antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors or checkpoint inhibitors, special recommendations are to be followed.

Detailed information on current vaccination recommendations in pediatric oncology is available here (article in German) [LAW2020‎].

After chemotherapy, previous vaccination coverage usually does no longer exist. Nevertheless, immunizations should not be renewed immediately after the completion of cancer treatment or before the patient's immune system has sufficiently recovered.