The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation recommends Covid-19 vaccinations in mesothelioma patients receiving immunotherapy treatments. We commend the unprecedented development of safe, effective Covid-19 vaccines. It is our hope that these vaccines will end the pandemic, especially for our mesothelioma community which is demographically as well by virtue of having mesothelioma at the highest risk category for complications from a Covid-19 infection.
Our support also comes with recommendations from The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC):
- All cancer patients receiving approved or investigational immunotherapy as part of their treatment regimen, either as standard of care or as part of clinical trials and without a general contraindication to vaccination, should/could receive an FDA approved and/or authorized Covid-19 vaccination when made available to them;
- At this point in time, the only known relevant contraindications based on available data are patient age as described within EUAs and/or history of anaphylaxis to similar/comparable vaccine components;
- SITC does not recommend experimental and/or non-approved Covid-19 vaccination for patients being treated with immunotherapy outside of dedicated clinical trial settings at this time;
- Immunosuppressed patients, e.g., those receiving corticosteroids or TNF blockers to manage immune-related side effects, patients with hematologic malignancies, or patients with B cell deficiency, may not mount a robust immune response against vaccines and/or may need additional booster vaccinations. This aspect has not yet been studied in clinical trials;
- Given limited data, possible interactions between cancer immunotherapies and Covid-19 vaccines are unknown at this time.
Patients are encouraged to discuss with their treating physician any concerns they might have in relation to their personal health history.
Update: We are including the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Covid-19 vaccination recommendations for cancer patients:
Should people with cancer be vaccinated against COVID-19?
At this time, patients with cancer may be offered vaccination against COVID-19 as long as components of that vaccine are not contraindicated. The current CDC interim clinical guidance discusses immunocompromised individuals. It states: “Immunocompromised individuals may still receive COVID-19 vaccination if they have no contraindications to vaccination. However, they should be counseled about the unknown vaccine safety profile and effectiveness in immunocompromised populations, as well as the potential for reduced immune responses and the need to continue to follow all current guidance to protect themselves against COVID-19.” The expert panel noted that while some immunocompromised patients may experience decreased response to the vaccine, it may still confer some benefit and is important to reduce the risk or severity of COVID-19 to cancer patients, especially given recent evidence of higher rates of severe infection. Further information on the vaccines can be found on the CDC website.
Should people undergoing active treatment for cancer be vaccinated against COVID-19?
At this time, patients undergoing treatment may be offered vaccination against COVID-19 as long as any components of the vaccine are not contraindicated. Oncologists have experience providing other types of vaccines to patients receiving treatment for cancer, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy or stem cell transplantation. Strategies such as providing the vaccine in between cycles of therapy and after appropriate waiting periods for patients receiving stem cell transplants and immune globulin treatment can be used to reduce the risks while maintaining the efficacy of vaccination.
Should cancer survivors be vaccinated against COVID-19?
Cancer survivors may be offered vaccination against COVID-19 as long as any components of the vaccine are not contraindicated.
Are there people who should not be vaccinated?
At this time, only those with contraindications to a specific vaccine component should not be offered vaccination with that specific product. These contraindications are described in detail on the CDC’s vaccination clinical considerations page.
What other concerns are there for people with cancer who are vaccinated?
As there is still uncertainty around the extent to which immunocompromised patients with cancer will develop immunity in response to vaccination, vaccinated patients should continue to follow current guidance to protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19. The expert panel underscored the message that while providing the vaccine to cancer patients and their caregivers will reduce risk for infection or clinical COVID-19 disease, they emphasized the importance of continuing practices of wearing masks, social distancing, and maintaining good hand hygiene even after vaccination.
We will continue to follow changes in data as well as approvals and/or authorization of additional vaccine candidates. The Foundation’s Covid-19 information and resources are available at curemeso.org/covid19-updates.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to eradicate mesothelioma and end this national tragedy. Its programs include the funding of promising and peer-reviewed research, education, support and advocacy. The organization strives to bring together thought-leaders in the field to identify the most direct path to a cure.
