Covid vaccine and chemo

FormerMember over 4 years ago

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Hi. I have tnbc and have had 4 rounds EC. I am now on weekly 5 of paclitaxel with 3 weekly carboplatin.

Have spoken to my oncologist re having vaccine. He said go ahead and have it. The chemo nurses have been told to tell patients to wait. So conflicting. They said I won't know if its been effective because of the low immunity of the drugs.

Obviously I would want to know I'm safe if I have vaccine but I think I would be just as worried.

Anyone had the vaccine who are on chemo?

Any thoughts on the subject would be much appreciated.

Thanks

kateandbiz over 4 years ago

Hi, I found this on the Macmillan website, I hope it will answer your question.

Coronavirus vaccine and cancer treatment

Can I have the coronavirus vaccine if I am having cancer treatment?

The Covid vaccines that are currently available can all be given to people who are having cancer treatment.

Although the Covid vaccines are new, healthcare professionals have a lot of experience of giving other vaccines to people living with cancer. Public health experts and cancer specialists have agreed that people living with cancer should receive the vaccine.

If you're having chemotherapy

Some cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, can lower normal immunity. This can be a problem with certain types of vaccines called ‘live’ vaccines. Covid vaccines are not ‘live’ vaccines. They can be given before, during or after cancer treatment.

It is possible that the vaccines may be slightly less effective for people having chemotherapy or other cancer treatments. But it is still expected that the vaccine will give some useful protection against the virus.

Obviously it’s up to you if you want to wait until you’ve finished chemotherapy, but it seems as though it’s perfectly okay to have it during treatment, and you said that your oncologist said to go ahead. Whatever you decide good luck with it,and the rest of your treatment.

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to kateandbiz

Thank you so much. Very helpful. I think if I'm offered it in this 6 weeks I'll take it

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