COVID vaccine boosters crucial for certain cancer patients.
COVID vaccine boosters crucial for certain cancer patients.
Cancer Patients and COVID-19: Boosters for Stronger Immunity
Many cancer patients, already burdened with weakened immune systems due to treatments, worry about the continued spread of COVID-19 and the potential severity of the infection. However, new research from Yale University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has shed light on the frequency of booster shots that may be necessary for these patients to enhance their protection against the virus[^1^].
The study’s co-leader, Alex Dornburg, an assistant professor at UNC Charlotte, emphasizes that the fear of severe COVID-19 is not limited to cancer patients alone. The findings of this research can potentially extend to other vulnerable patient groups, offering guidance to protect them from the virus[^1^].
While the CDC recommends that immunocompromised patients receive booster shots “as needed,” this study specifically delves into what “as needed” means for cancer patients[^1^].
The research reveals that increased boosting in cancer patients can provide benefits similar to those seen in individuals without cancer. If cancer patients do not receive booster shots, the study predicts that about one in three will be infected within two years. However, if they opt for boosters every six months, the risk drops to one in twenty[^1^].
Professor Jeffrey Townsend, the lead author from Yale School of Public Health, explains that most cancer patients are protected nearly as well as the non-cancer population by COVID-19 boosting. However, there is one significant exception[^1^].
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“Some cancer therapies directly attack immune cells,” Dornburg clarifies. While this can be advantageous in the battle against blood cancers like some lymphomas, it also creates a vulnerability for severe COVID-19 infection[^1^].
For cancer patients whose treatment directly impacts their immune response, more frequent booster shots are necessary. According to the study, if these patients receive a booster annually, one in three patients receiving these therapies would still be susceptible to COVID-19 infection within two years, unless additional interventions are undertaken. However, if boosters are administered every three months, the risk is halved[^1^].
It is important to note that these findings are based on typical patients with typical immune responses undergoing common therapies. Each patient may have different mitigating factors that doctors need to consider when advising on the appropriateness and timing of additional COVID-19 booster schedules[^1^].
The researchers utilized data from previously published COVID-19 studies and studies on other coronaviruses to arrive at their conclusions. Their study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute[^1^].
Conclusion
This research provides valuable insights into the frequency of booster shots necessary for cancer patients to improve their protection against COVID-19. While most cancer patients receive similar levels of protection as the general population, those undergoing certain therapies may require more frequent boosters due to the impact on their immune response.
Doctors and healthcare professionals should consider patient-specific factors when advising on booster shot schedules. By closely evaluating a patient’s immune response and treatment plan, healthcare providers can make informed decisions to ensure optimal protection against COVID-19 for cancer patients and other vulnerable individuals.
References
[1] Yale University, news release, Aug. 21, 2023. Link
