Introduction:
In the light of challenging and rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases, having cancer increases the risk of severe infection with this deadly virus. While this COVID-19 vaccination is offering a way to end this pandemic crisis, a concern is arising about whether it is safe for patients with cancer to take the vaccine.
What Are Vaccines?
Vaccines help a person's immune system recognize the virus or bacteria and protect the body against the same virus or bacteria in case they attack the body in the future.
How Do COVID-19 Vaccines Work?
COVID-19 mRNA vaccine instructs our body cells to make a spike protein. The spike protein is found on the surface of the Coronavirus. When the person's immune system recognizes the protein that does not belong to the body, it produces antibodies like how it would happen in a natural infection against COVID-19. Like other vaccines, mRNA vaccines gain protection without ever having to risk the effects of getting sick with COVID-19. These mRNA vaccines in no way use live viruses.
Can People With Cancer Take Any Type of Vaccine?
Certain types of cancer and various cancer treatments affect the patient's immune system. People with weakened immune systems should not take any vaccine that contains live viruses. The vaccines that contain live viruses can cause infections in people with weak immune systems that can even become life-threatening. So make sure a patient should consult their healthcare professional before getting vaccinated.
Can People With Cancer Take the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone above the age of 16 years should take the COVID-19 vaccines, so this includes people with cancer.
Which Are the Available COVID-19 Vaccines?
Currently, there are 38 approved vaccines (that are approved by different national government bodies) and ten vaccines that are listed by WHO for Emergency Use Listing (EUL). The vaccines granted Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by WHO are:
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Sputnik V (Gamaleya).
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Covilo (Sinopharm).
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CoronaVac (Sinovac).
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Ad26.COV2.S (Johnson & Johnson).
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Spike Vax (Moderna).
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Comirnaty (Pfizer and BioNTech).
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Covexin (Bharat Biotech).
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Covovax and Covishield (Serum Institute of India).
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Nuvaxovid (Novovax).
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Vaxzevria (Oxford/AstraZeneca).
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Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is given to people above the age of 16. It is a two-shot vaccine. It is administered in two doses three weeks apart. It also gained emergency use authorization for children aged 5 through 11 years and older.
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Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is given to people who are above the age of 18. It is also a two-shot vaccine. It is offered in two doses four weeks apart.
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Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine is a single-shot vaccine. It is given to people above the age of 18 as a single shot.
What Are the Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines?
The side effects that are commonly experienced after getting vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines are,
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Pain at the injection site.
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Fever.
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Headache.
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Fatigue.
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Chills.
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Body pain.
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Swollen lymph nodes.
These side effects, which are generally mild, go away within a few days. However, in the case of two-shot vaccines, the side effects may be slightly intense after the second shot.
Is It Safe for People With Cancer to Take the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The major concern about getting vaccinated is not whether the vaccine is safe for patients with cancer patients but how effective the vaccines will be, particularly for people with weakened immune responses. Some cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant, or immunotherapy can affect the immune system, which affects the effectiveness of the vaccine. Patients with certain types of cancer, like leukemia and lymphoma, can also have weakened immune systems.
Patients with cancer or with a previous history of cancer can get vaccines, but this depends on the type of vaccine, the type of cancer they have or previously had, and if the immune system is working effectively. So it is better to consult the physician before getting vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Can Patients With Breast Cancer Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?
Certain people may develop swelling of lymph nodes under their arms where the injection was given. A swollen lymph node is also a sign of breast cancer. So health experts recommend people with breast cancer get the injection on the opposite side of their breast that is affected by cancer. If surgery was done on both breasts, then it is better to consult the healthcare professional before getting vaccinated.
Do Vaccines Affect Mammograms?
There are chances of developing swollen lymph nodes after the vaccination. And if a mammogram is taken after the vaccination, then these swollen lymph nodes will show up on the mammogram, which will lead to misdiagnosis. So it is better to inform the healthcare professional about the vaccination and the arm in which the injection was given, which will avoid further confusion and misdiagnosis. And at the same time, do not delay the mammogram. Experts recommend that people wait for 4 to 6 weeks after completing their vaccine doses before getting a mammogram to avoid false-positive results.
Does Vaccine Have an Effect on Steroids and Chemotherapy?
In case patient is taking steroids and they are on chemotherapy or immunotherapy is indicated to avoid any vaccine or is asked to consult with their medical health professional team before undertaking any vaccine. The same holds true for the COVID-19 vaccine also. It is strongly recommended to consult the treating doctor before undertaking any vaccine including COVID-19 vaccine.
Is There Any Specific COVID-19 Vaccine for People With Cancer?
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines, whereas Johnson & Johnson vaccines are adenovirues. The major and only difference between these vaccines is that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are two-shot vaccines, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single-shot vaccine. These vaccines have undergone multiple trials and testing for safety, but it still it is need to be determine if any of the vaccines are safer and more effective than the others. All three vaccines are effective in lowering the chances of getting COVID-19.
Health experts do not recommend getting one type of vaccine over the other for any specific type of person. The same goes for people with cancer. Hence healthcare professionals and national authorities recommend taking the available COVID-19 vaccine rather than waiting for any particular type of vaccine.
Studies are still being conducted regarding these COVID-19 vaccines. Health experts and researchers are still trying to find out how long the COVID-19 vaccines will help protect against the virus, and if vaccinated, how well it will help to prevent the spread of the virus to others.
Are Booster Doses Required for Attaining Full Immunity Against the Virus?
A second dose of vaccine is administered to people who are less likely to mount a protective immune response following the first dose. People who are immunocompromised and have received the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine as part of their primary series should receive an additional dose.
Booster dose: A second dose of vaccine given to supplement or restore protection that may have waned following the primary series vaccination. The primary series was administered with the same vaccine product that was used for the booster dose. The booster dose is administered with a different vaccine product than the primary series.
Conclusion:
Everyone, should remain cautious about COVID-19, particularly those people with cancer. It is vital to be aware of the fact that some people with cancer will have weakened immune systems, which can make the COVID-19 vaccines less effective. However, health experts and national authorities have tested the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to say if patients with cancer will have the same level of effectiveness. So it is very crucial to follow all the guidelines and precautions for a while longer, like wearing double masks, washing hands frequently with soap and water, and social distancing.
