A pandemic that has jolted the whole world, Coronavirus has everyone in its grip. Right now, vaccination is extremely crucial, and a must to shrink the mortality rate and curtail down other complications due to COVID-19. Experiments and researches to produce a vaccine for this deadly virus began soon after Coronavirus spread worldwide. Many countries have succeeded in developing vaccines that can produce antibodies to fight this virus.
The question is, how effective are these vaccines, and how should they be administered to cancer patients?
Due to compromised immunity, cancer patients are prone to get infected with various illnesses very quickly, which is why they are constantly under regular treatments and medications. In this scenario, if the Covid-19 vaccination creates antibodies, this could benefit cancer patients in manifolds. Recent studies and research on vaccination, post-vaccination health conditions, and its impact on individuals with existing health concerns and ailments have revealed the efficacy rates and the risk associated with vaccination. For instance - CoviShield (60% - 86%), Moderna (90% - 94%), Sino Pharm (78% - 90%), Pzifer (70% - 92%). (Source: World Health Organization).
As per the 'American Cancer Society', cancer patients can boost immunity via the covid vaccine. However, they emphasized on the completion of the prescribed dosage. (source: https://www.cancer.org/)
A recent study by Israeli scientists showed that the Pfizer vaccine invented by Bioentech was safe and harmless to cancer patients. They stated that "To our knowledge, this study is the first to prospectively characterize the serologic status, immunogenicity, and safety of the BNT162b2 vaccine in a cohort of patients with solid tumors who are receiving active anticancer therapies". They also indicated there are insufficient cancer patient data acknowledged in this study.
A recent study by the National Cancer Institute of the USA in this regard indicated that vaccines had not shown substantial changes in immunity on individuals with blood cancer. (source: https://www.cancer.gov/)
Many who had taken the vaccine experienced some degree of physical weakness within 2-4 days of vaccination. For cancer patients, this phase is potentially risky, and hence, extra caution may be required. In addition, the time between the two doses of vaccine should be precisely calculated; the second dose of vaccine should be taken after four weeks of taking the first dose of vaccine to ensure the highest level of immunity in the body. If the time between the first dose of vaccine and the second dose of vaccine is more than four weeks, the level of immunity will decline. (source: BBC)
Patients with cancer should therefore be immunized and get vaccinated to keep themselves safe from the Covid-19. Furthermore, they should follow any guidelines given by their treating doctor.
