COVID-19 Vaccines for Cancer Patients and Survivors: Information to Know

Dana-Farber strongly encourages patients to get vaccinated for COVID-19 to protect themselves from serious infection of the virus. Family members, caregivers, and frequent household contacts also should also stay up to date with vaccinations to protect those around them. 

COVID-19 vaccines have been given to millions of people and have proven safe and effective at reducing the rate and severity of infections. New forms of the coronavirus evolve over time, so it is important to stay up to date with vaccines by getting regular boosters. 

You should get a COVID-19 vaccination even if you were previously infected with the virus. The vaccine will help trigger a stronger immune response, which better prepares the body to fight off the coronavirus. If you recently had a COVID-19 infection, you are eligible to get the vaccine as soon as you are symptom-free and have completed your required isolation period. 

There are currently two types of COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):  

• mRNA vaccines: The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use mRNA; 
• Traditional vaccines: The Novavax vaccine non-mRNA vaccine and uses a more traditional technology. 

Find COVID-19 vaccination locations in Massachusetts or across the U.S.  

Is a COVID-19 vaccine safe? 

The FDA established a rigorous process to determine the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines approved or authorized for emergency use in the United States have met this high safety and effectiveness standard. 

Furthermore, even after a vaccine is authorized or approved, it is continuously monitored for any adverse events (such as side effects). If something abnormal is detected, experts will quickly study it further to see if it’s a true safety concern. This helps ensure the benefits outweigh any potential risks for individuals who receive the vaccine. 

Finally, each batch of every vaccine is tested for quality and safety to ensure that the vaccine works as intended and is not contaminated with certain ingredients used during production or outside germs. 

Is the vaccine safe for cancer patients?  

Dana-Farber recommends that both cancer survivors and active patients undergoing therapy get vaccinated for COVID-19. Furthermore, it is also recommended that all Dana-Farber transplant and cellular therapy patients strongly consider vaccination once 100 days have elapsed from transplant or cellular therapy. 

Organizations that determine and communicate the latest guidelines for cancer care also recommend that adults with cancer get vaccinated for COVID-19: 

• According to the American Cancer Society, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for people with cancer, though it may be less effective in people with cancer who are immunocompromised. 
• The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of 31 leading cancer centers across the U.S., recommends that all oncology patients currently in treatment receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and that their caregivers and household members should be immunized as well. 
• A comprehensive review of studies of vaccines in adults with cancer published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology documents evidence supporting strong recommendations that patients with cancer stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. 
• This resource from the American Society of Hematology also answers questions about COVID-19 vaccination for patients who are immunocompromised. 

How do I know if I am eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine? 

If you have specific questions about any vaccine or your eligibility to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, be sure to speak with your care team. Oncologists, nurses, and other professionals at Dana-Farber are sources of support and information for patients who have questions about COVID-19 vaccines. 

Dana-Farber will continue to proactively ensure that patients, families, and staff remain safe and protected. Learn more about measures the Institute is taking, including face masks, physical distancing, frequent disinfecting, and more. 

For the latest information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. 

Which COVID vaccine should I get?  

Any of the FDA-approved vaccines are good options. If you haven’t been vaccinated for COVID-19 before, the primary vaccination series for people with weakened immune systems includes three doses of the FDA-approved Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax vaccines. The third dose should be at least 28 days after the second dose. For the initial COVID-19 vaccine series, it is recommended to receive the same vaccine brand if possible. 

If you received primary COVID-19 vaccines that are no longer available or currently FDA-approved in the US (such as the Astra-Zeneca vaccine), then you should either complete or restart a primary COVID-19 vaccine series in the U.S. with any of the three FDA-approved COVID vaccines listed above. 

How often should I get a COVID vaccine booster?  

After the primary three-dose initial vaccine series is complete, regular yearly booster doses are recommended to protect against emerging strains and to maintain immunity. If you are moderately to severely immunocompromised, it is recommended that you get 2 boosters per year, receiving one every 6 months. The first booster dose should be at least 8 weeks after the last dose of the primary vaccine series.   

Immunocompromised people can include people who have: 

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood 
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system 
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system 
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome) 
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection 
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response 

Research shows that people being treated for cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma are more likely to get very sick if they get COVID-19. They may also have a longer illness. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters provides protection against these risks. 

People who have recently had COVID can delay receiving a booster or initiating primary vaccination for 3 months from the time of a positive test and/or symptom onset. 

The CDC provides detailed information about how to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. 

Does the vaccine protect against emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2? 

A COVID-19 vaccine. 

Like influenza, strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus evolve over time. Vaccines are updated regularly, typically annually, to reflect the most common currently circulating strains. Receiving an annual, or bi-annual if you are immunocompromised, COVID-19 vaccine should become a part of your normal preventive healthcare routine. 

New strains can emerge at any time, and boosters against those may not be immediately available. In between boosters, the vaccine is still protective against severe disease and hospitalization.  

How long does it take to become immune following complete vaccination? 

It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity following vaccination. Research  suggests that individuals will begin to build immunity to the virus 10 to 14 days following their first dose of the primary vaccine series, with full immunity typically appearing seven to 14 days following the second dose in healthy individuals. For moderate to severely immunocompromised individuals, full immunity is likely not achieved until seven to 14 days after the third dose, and some people with compromised immune systems may not be able to achieve full immunity even after vaccination.  

Can I spread COVID-19 to someone else if I’ve received a vaccine? 

You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. However, you can still become infected and spread COVID-19 to someone else if you’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine series. COVID-19 vaccines provide high levels of protection from hospitalization caused by severe symptoms. However, vaccination does not prevent transmission or infection.   

Note that getting a COVID-19 vaccine and staying up to date with vaccination is a more effective way of building immunity to COVID-19 than getting sick with COVID-19. 

The CDC has a helpful guide to understanding the facts about COVID-19 vaccines.  

For the latest information on COVID-19, talk to your care team or visit the Dana-Farber website.