From the Guidelines
Refusing the COVID vaccine is strongly discouraged, as COVID vaccines have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus, particularly in vulnerable populations such as those with cancer. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2024 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology 1, recommends that patients with cancer receive at least one dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, with additional doses recommended after a 2-month interval for those receiving therapies known to weaken vaccine responses. This guidance prioritizes the protection of immunocompromised patients, who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness and hospitalization.
Some key points to consider:
- The COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with mild to moderate side effects, such as injection site pain, fatigue, myalgia, headache, and fever, but serious adverse reactions are extremely rare 1.
- Patients with cancer, particularly those with leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and lung cancer, are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness and hospitalization, making vaccination a crucial protective measure 1.
- The efficacy of mRNA vaccines in patients with solid tumors and hematological malignancies has been reported to be 83% and 72%, respectively, highlighting the importance of vaccination in these populations 1.
- Vaccination is recommended irrespective of disease activity and severity, except for those with severe and life-threatening illness, and should not affect trial eligibility for patients participating in oncology clinical trials 1.
Overall, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in reducing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life, particularly in vulnerable populations, outweigh the risks, and refusing the COVID vaccine is not recommended.
From the Research
Refusing COVID Vaccine
- Refusing the COVID vaccine can lead to a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19, as vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in preventing COVID-19-associated hospitalizations 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been compared in terms of their effectiveness, with the Moderna vaccine showing a slightly higher effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalizations (93% vs 88%) 3
- Both vaccines have been shown to provide substantial protection against COVID-19 hospitalization, with effectiveness ranging from 82% to 97% depending on the population and time since vaccination 3, 4, 5, 6
- The effectiveness of the vaccines can wane over time, with one study showing that protection against COVID-19 hospitalization declined 4 months after vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine 3
- A third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine has been shown to provide improved protection against COVID-19-associated hospitalization, particularly among immunocompromised adults and older adults 4
Vaccine Effectiveness
- The effectiveness of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines against COVID-19-associated hospitalization has been consistently shown to be high, with estimates ranging from 82% to 97% 3, 4, 5, 6
- The vaccines have been shown to be effective in preventing hospitalization due to COVID-19 in various populations, including older adults, immunocompromised adults, and adults with underlying health conditions 3, 4, 5, 6
- The effectiveness of the vaccines against COVID-19-associated hospitalization has been sustained over time, with one study showing that protection lasted for at least 24 weeks after vaccination 6
Risks of Refusing Vaccination
- Refusing vaccination can lead to a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19, particularly among older adults and those with underlying health conditions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Unvaccinated individuals are more likely to transmit COVID-19 to others, potentially leading to outbreaks and further spread of the disease 2, 3, 4, 5, 6