Should Cancer Patients be Prioritized for Covid-19 Vaccination?

摘要

Because the immune system of cancer patients is suppressed, they are at increased risk of various infections. In cancer patients, infection is not only associated with several complications but also may interrupt their treatment. Besides, such infections may cause hospitalization, which has negative consequences (1). According to an old belief, people with a weak immune system (e.g., cancer patients) cannotmount an immune response to vaccines. However, evidence suggests otherwise. For instance, several studies have investigated the impact of the flu vaccine on cancer patients and reported confer protection. The same is true for the pneumococcal vaccine, which, generally speaking, cancer patients should receive.