COVID-19 Vaccine: Cancer and immunocompromised patients should receive the vaccine.
Icon Oncology strongly advises that people with cancer or a history of cancer should receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
Icon Oncology further recommends that cancer patients and survivors should be prioritised within Phase 2 of the National Vaccine Rollout Plan as people who are clinically vulnerable.
Icon Oncology undertakes to engage with the Department of Health to motivate for the prioritisation of cancer patients as clinical vulnerable and to assist in the roll-out of vaccines to these patients through our national network of oncologist and oncology treatment units.
These recommendation are based on available evidence and expert consensus including The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) , CDC , Cancer Research UK, and the National Health Services UK (NHS).
Icon Oncology also motivates strongly that COVID-19 vaccines should be given to the household contacts and caregivers of cancer patients when they are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Recent findings from international vaccine trials have demonstrated that vaccines decrease the incidence of COVID-19 disease and complications, but there are limited data that suggest that these vaccines may prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent risk of transmission.
People who are immunosuppressed, including those having anti-cancer therapies (chemotherapy, immunotherapy etc.) may not make a full antibody response to the vaccines which therefore might be less effective. Therefore, even if vaccinated, patients and close contacts should continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing guidelines, and follow other recommendations for COVID-19 prevention.
