SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Vaccination and Risk of Death in People with An Oncological Disease in Northeast Italy

People with a history of cancer have a higher risk of death when infected with SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 vaccines in cancer patients proved safe and effective, even if efficacy may be lower than in the general population. In this population-based study, we compare the risk of dying of cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2021, vaccinated or non-vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and residing in Friuli Venezia Giulia or in the province of Reggio Emilia. An amount of 800 deaths occurred among 6583 patients; the risk of death was more than three times higher among unvaccinated compared to vaccinated ones [HR 3.4; 95% CI 2.9-4.1]. The excess risk of death was stronger in those aged 70-79 years [HR 4.6; 95% CI 3.2-6.8], in patients with diagnosis made <1 year [HR 8.5; 95% CI 7.3-10.5] and in all cancer sites, including hematological malignancies. The study results indicate that vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection is a necessary tool to be included in the complex of oncological therapies aimed at reducing the risk of death.

Automated summary

Cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have a higher risk of death, but COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective in this population. A population-based study found that the risk of death was more than three times higher among unvaccinated cancer patients compared to vaccinated ones. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is necessary to reduce the risk of death in cancer patients.