As of March 2021, three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in the United States. While the vaccine may be available, immunization can be a complex topic for people with metastatic breast cancer. Cancer and cancer treatment can impact the immune system, raising questions about if people with cancer should get the vaccine, and how it could interact with treatment. Additionally, while vaccines are still being manufactured, access to the vaccine is still limited and eligibility varies from state to state.
Now that the COVID-19 vaccines are here, when can metastatic breast cancer patients get vaccinated, and should they? Below you’ll find information on vaccine priority for people with cancer, advice on whether or not people with cancer should get the vaccine, and notes on how the vaccine could affect cancer treatment.
When can people with cancer get the vaccine?
- Johnson & Johnson’s Single-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine a ‘Tremendous Asset’ for Patients With Cancer CURE Magazine explains how the recent approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine impacts the vaccination timeline and what this means for people with cancer.
- Cancer patients are frustrated at states making them wait for the COVID-19 vaccine despite federal guidelines In USA Today one woman with metastatic breast cancer recounts her experience trying to get vaccinated.
- Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Vaccine Considerations for Patients With Cancer
How could the COVID-19 vaccine impact cancer care?
- Can I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine If I Have Cancer? Cleveland Clinic breaks down how to time your vaccination based on the different types of cancer treatment you may be receiving.
- COVID-19 and Breast Cancer Care: What Patients Need to Know The Breast Cancer Research Foundation answers common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine with a focus on the interactions between the vaccine and breast cancer treatment.
For more information on COVID vaccine development and distribution, visit COVID-19 & Cancer: COVID Vaccines
For more information on COVID-19 and Cancer, visit our COVID main page: COVID-19 & Cancer
Last Modified on November 24, 2021
