Flu Vaccine in Preventing Influenza Infection in Healthy Volunteers and in Patients Who Have Undergone Stem Cell Transplant

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Meets 1 of the following criteria: * Patient at the City of Hope or Kaiser hospital who underwent prior autologous or allogeneic matched-related hematologic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or matched-unrelated HSCT for treatment of hematological malignancies, including aplastic anemia or myelodysplastic syndromes * Eligible (in accordance with physician's recommendation) to receive the vaccine influenza A serotypes specific for the 2006-2007 or 2007-2008 influenza season * Eligible (in accordance with physician's recommendation) to receive the vaccine influenza A or B serotypes specific for the 2009-2010 or 2010-2011 influenza season * Patients who are not vaccinated are followed under the study protocol once they are matched to a vaccinated patient on the date of transplant and source of transplant * All HLA serotypes allowed * Employee volunteer from the City of Hope * Meets the requirements for influenza vaccination * Eligible to receive the CDC recommended vaccine for influenza A serotypes specific for the 2007-2008 flu season as part of occupational health's vaccination initiative * All HLA serotypes allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Life expectancy \> 9 months * No HIV seropositivity * No hepatitis B or C seropositivity * Hepatitis B-positive serology by vaccination allowed PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior influenza vaccination after transplantation