What cancer patients need to know about COVID-19 vaccine booster?

• 15/01/2022
• 0

Just like healthy people, cancer patients or the people having history of cancer are also confused about whether or not, they should go for Covid-19 booster shot. But it is recommendation by CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) that they can surely go for this vaccine if they answer some of the queries that are required for them because they have increased risk of serious illness   from Covid-19. They must consult their doctor about getting vaccinated. If you have any doubt about your disease and Covid-19 then you can take help of Cancer Specialist in Chandigarh.

Some most common queries of people are:

Are Covid-19 Vaccines Safe and Effective for Cancer Patients?

During clinical trial of Covid-19 vaccines, it is proven safe for general population, elder people and it is scientists’ belief that this is equally safe for most of the cancer patients also. It is also recommended that immunocompromised people, who have weakened immune system, can take either of the vaccines which are available.

If a seasonal flu vaccine is given to cancer patient because of containing dead virus in the nasal mist version of the flu vaccine- not the live virus then similarly, that patient can take either of the Covid-19 vaccine also because in this vaccine, a dead virus in injected into your body – not the live virus.

As many of the cancer patients and their family members are much worried about effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines for cancer patients, so it is recommended by our doctors that everyone (including any health disease) should take Covid vaccine and it is very much effective and safe for all. We, at Dr. Ahuja Clinic, also understand the concerns of family members with their patients and we also are equally concerned with each of our patients. That’s why we recommend everyone to get vaccinated.

Can a patient with active treatment of cancer get vaccinated against Covid-19?

Yes, they can get vaccinated because the benefits of this vaccine are more than the risks that can incur if exposed to virus. But before taking vaccine, they should consult their oncologist to know the right time because it is based on the therapy you are undergoing like chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant, surgery, etc.

What are the side-effects of Covid-19 Vaccine for cancer patients?

There are mild side-effects such as fever, joint pain, chills and fatigue from the vaccine can occur in cancer patients just like with healthy people. Actually it is a sign that your immune system is preparing to fight with virus if he is exposed to it.

What Are The Benefits of Booster Dose for Cancer Patients?

After studies it was researched that the cancer patients who had no detectable antibodies even after first two doses of Covid-19 vaccines, booster dose has generated immune response in them. In this way, booster dose is really beneficial for all cancer patients. After this confirmation, the recommendation and treatment speed of Covid-19 has been incredible but even if there are some queries of people regarding the safety and necessity for booster dose so, to clear all the queries they did some experiments.

They made two groups of cancer patients. First group was having 99 patients who had received 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccines. After that, they were tested to check the level of antibodies present in their body and there was a sign of active response which was helpful in reducing the risk of severe disease and death from Covid-19. But when they were again tested after 4 -6 months later then their antibodies level was declined.

In the second group of 88 cancer patients who were fully vaccinated were also tested for checking the level of antibodies present in their bodies, 64% out of them had detectable antibodies whereas rest of them tested negative for antibodies. After that, both of the groups received booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Four weeks later, they were again tested for and at that time, 79.5% of patients had higher antibodies level in their blood than before they received booster shot. And 56% patients, who had no antibodies, now had them after receiving booster shot.

At last, it is right to say that Covid-19 booster dose is beneficial and safe for all types of people. Even if you have any doubt then you can directly visit at Dr. Ahuja Clinic, Chandigarh where Dr. Alok Ahuja is always present to guide his patients in right way because he is Cancer Specialist in Chandigarh.