COVID-19 vaccines for patients with cancer: benefits likely outweigh risks

Less than a year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, ten vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been approved for at least limited use, with over sixty others in clinical trials. This swift achievement has generated excitement and arrives at a time of great need, as the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide continues to rapidly increase. Two vaccines are currently approved for full use, both built on mRNA and lipid nanotechnology platforms, a success story of mRNA technology 20 years in the making. For patients with cancer, questions arise around the safety and efficacy of these vaccines in the setting of immune alterations engendered by their malignancy and/or therapies. We summarize the current data on leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates and vaccination of patients undergoing immunomodulatory cancer treatments. Most current cancer therapeutics should not prevent the generation of protective immunity. We call for more research in this area and recommend that the majority of patients with cancer receive COVID vaccinations when possible.

Automated summary

Within less than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, ten vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have been approved, with two mRNA-based vaccines showing promising results. Concerns arise about the safety and efficacy of these vaccines for cancer patients undergoing immunomodulatory treatments, but most cancer therapies should not hinder the generation of protective immunity. Additional research in this area is needed and it is recommended that the majority of cancer patients receive COVID vaccinations when possible.