Hi HappyCherry and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to read about the treatment you have had for multiple myeloma. I hope you are doing well following your stem cell transplant.

It’s completely understandable to feel worried when you hear about measles and whooping cough going around. Because the MMR and some other vaccines are “live,” people who have had a stem cell transplant can’t always have them.

Most people who have had an SCT can have live vaccines again, but only if their immune system  has recovered enough. This is different for everyone. Some people can have them after 2 years, and some people may still need to avoid them.

Myeloma UK have information about which vaccines you can have following a stem cell transplant.

The best thing to do is talk to your hospital team or GP. They can check your immune system and tell you if it’s safe for you to have the MMR or any other vaccine now. They can also let you know about other ways to protect yourself.

Working in a primary school is busy, and your hands must be sore from all the washing. It makes sense that you want to know how to keep yourself safe. Maybe you could speak to your pharmacist  about antibacterial hand gels and maybe soap for sensitive skin. If your hands are sore and cracked your GP may refer you to a dermatologist for more advice.

I hope this information is helpful.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support

It might help to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. You can call for free on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Kind regards

Tina