It was definitely a sigh of relief when a couple of Vaccines got approved by the government to beat the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a lot of fake news and rumours created a lot of confusion and doubt in the minds of people. One such doubt related to the COVID-19 vaccine is in regards to the people suffering or undergoing cancer treatment. Whether cancer patients should get vaccinated or not? Or if the vaccine will be similarly beneficial for cancer patients as it is for the general public? Or can the vaccine worsen their situation? Therefore, to find out the answer to all these questions, the ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team spoke to Dr. P Raghu Ram, a well-known Surgeon, Founder/Director of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, and Director, KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases.
Is COVID-19 Vaccine Safe For Cancer Patients?
Yes. Dr. Raghuram explains that the risk of the novel coronavirus spreading in a healthy person and a cancer patient is the same. However, the chances of the infection worsening are more in the latter, since they are immunocompromised. And, since the COVID-19 vaccine builds immunity in the body to protect us against the virus, it becomes necessary for cancer patients to get themselves vaccinated.
Our expert further says that although there is not much data available related to the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine on cancer patients, it is relatively safe for them to get vaccinated.
Vaccination Before Cancer Treatment Or After?
Dr. Raghu Ram said a multimodality approach in cancer care involving surgery, chemotherapy radiotherapy, and hormone therapy is decided by a multidisciplinary team. Of these modalities, chemotherapy suppresses the body’s immunity and is the most difficult phase of the entire treatment. Those patients requiring chemotherapy should ideally be given the vaccine at least a couple of weeks before commencing therapy to allow the vaccine-related immunity to develop. If necessary and if the doctor permits, the vaccine can be administered even after completing the first week of chemotherapy. If a vaccination has to be administered after commencing chemotherapy, it should be given between the cycles rather than during the chemotherapy session.
Therefore, patients undergoing cancer treatment and those who have been treated for cancer in the past should go ahead and get vaccinated when it becomes
available.
Monitoring After Getting Vaccinated
Our expert says that after getting the vaccine, it is important to monitor the patient for at least 48 hours. If he/she feels any discomfort or problem after getting vaccinated, they should consult a doctor immediately.
Is it required to take two doses of the vaccine?
Absolutely, says, Dr. Raghu Ram. The best level of protection is seen in those who take both doses. He also cautions that even after vaccination, it is important to still follow the basic principles of wearing a mask, maintaining hand hygiene, and physical distancing until the broad transmission in the community is under control.
