Can I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine If I Have Cancer?

Dr Anup Toshniwal

What cancer patients need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine?

Many people with cancer are wondering if it is safe to get one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines. After all, we know that having an underlying medical condition, such as cancer or heart disease, puts you at greater risk for developing a serious illness from the virus.

The short answer is that for most adults with cancer or a history of cancer, vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended, but there are factors for people with cancer to consider first.

Speak with your healthcare provider before getting vaccinated.

Your type of cancer and type of treatment will be a factor to consider. Your healthcare provider will be able to discuss risks, benefits, timeline and what you should know before receiving your first dose of the vaccine.

Timing the vaccine and cancer treatment

If a vaccine is available to you, it may be appropriate to delay the start of some non-urgent cancer treatments until vaccination has been completed. Most cancer treatments, however, should not be delayed for vaccinations.

For patients receiving chemotherapy or other immune suppressing treatments: In general, receiving either vaccine during chemotherapy is recommended. But because the vaccines can cause a fever within the first 24 to 48 hours, it’s preferable to receive the vaccines at a time when your white blood counts are not expected to be low.

For patients receiving immunotherapy: For most patients receiving immunotherapy for cancer, it’s fine to proceed with vaccination and immunotherapy need not be interrupted.

For patients receiving radiation therapy: For most patients receiving radiation treatment, it’s recommended to proceed with vaccination and radiation treatment need not be interrupted.

For patients receiving surgery: For most patients receiving cancer-related surgery, it’s recommended to proceed with vaccination. Since fever can occur in the first 24 to 48 hours after vaccination, it’s best to avoid scheduling your vaccination within a few days of planned surgery as a fever may result in cancellation of the surgery.

For patients who have undergone stem cell transplant or CART cell therapy: Patients who are within three months of stem cell transplant or CART cell therapy should discuss with their healthcare provider timing of vaccination. In addition, those with severe acute graft versus host disease and those with low B-cell counts should discuss with their provider whether vaccination should be delayed.

For patients who are on follow up/post completion of cancer treatment: It is recommended that you get vaccination since there might be some lingering effect on cancer treatment in long term on your immune system.

For patients who have already had COVID-19: In general, it’s recommended that you receive the COVID-19 vaccine even if you were already infected with the virus, although you may choose to wait three to six months after your illness.

For Family members of cancer patients : It’s very important to get vaccinated, since it creates a protective barrier or herd immunity and reduce the chances of infection for cancer patients.

It’s important to be aware that some people with cancer tend to have weakened immune systems, which might make the vaccines less effective.

(The writer is cancer physician)