Covid 19 vaccine

[boxhill]

Glad to hear that SOMEONE is getting vaccinated! They're still working on people 70+ only here in Maine.

[horizon]

I got so excited when I saw my caller ID say that my care center was calling me. I thought for certain it was going to be for a vaccine appointment. They wanted to move my colonoscopy appointment.

[Siti]

Finally caught up with this thread, I shall ignore some of the terrible comments here, although I am rather disappointed to have read them!

Moving on...

I wanted to seek your view — My husband has been offered to participate in a trial. Essentially they want to evaluate the safety and immune response of cancer patients. We don’t know yet which vaccine they will be offered.

From my understanding, Pfizer triggers both antibodies and killer T-cells. But I wonder if the body would “reprioritise” its defence? I’m convinced that his immunity has been helping keep his cancer at bay.... it’s just a hunch of course. No evidence whatsoever. That being said, my husband received the flu vaccine a few months ago before winter and he was totally fine. Not a single side effect and he even forgotten that he took the jab!

One of the benefits is he could be one of the first to receive protection, because I suppose contracting Covid-19 is by far worse than taking a vaccine. And I suppose we can’t live in isolation forever and he would eventually need to be vaccinated too, if not now, later this year.

Any of you who are on maintenance chemo / active chemo have been vaccinated? What did your doctors say?

[roadrunner]

I am not on active chemo, but I have read extensively on this subject, and oncologists are nearly uniform in recommending the COVID-19 vaccines for cancer patients (including those on active chemo). And when I was on active chemo, my team told me to get a flu shot (I did). Efficacy of the COVID vaccines, particularly in cases of substantial immunocompromise from certain blood cancers or certain treatments (not usual for solid tumor/CRC patients), is somewhat of an open question, but safety is nearly universally acknowledged. But I would ask this: If your husband got a flu shot without concern or speculation that his immune system would be “overburdened” by the additional “task” promoted by the vaccine, why start worrying now about the COVID-19 vaccine? Also, keep in mind that natural viral infections such as colds, COVID, and the flu, put a burden on the immune system. In fact, I suspect that a tough battle with COVID might well be more “distracting” to the immune system than a vaccination. Finally, keep in mind that while there is some work for the immune system to do when one gets the shot, the body returns to a “ready” state relatively quickly after vaccination—that’s why the side effects don’t last for weeks or months. And that’s why antibodies are persistent and the anamnestic immune response exists. We’re all immune to measles, for example, though we got our vaccinations years ago, and our body isn’t currently “distracted,” by producing measles antibodies (at least not materially “distracted”). Also, the body produces *billions* of lymphocytes and other immune cells. It’s got good reserves for multi-tasking in most cases. That’s why chemo/radiation (immunosuppressive, but usually mildly or moderately so) work for cancer, but—for example—organ transplantation (with attendant very significant immuncompromise from the drugs necessary for transplantation) has been of limited value. It’s all a balance, and the immune system can generally handle a vaccine. I’ve never seen or heard and oncologist worry about the kind of “re-prioritization” that concerns you (though I understand the common sense concept—they advise that you don’t take a flu shot and COVID shot at the same time, for example—but just think it’s not likely in play here).

Finally, while you start with a reasonable premise that that the immune system is working to keep cancer at bay, it’s just speculation that a vaccine might interfere with that. On the other hand, we know that (1) COVID in cancer patients is high(er) risk, and (2) the vaccine works very well. The balance favors the vaccine in nearly all cases I think.

Hope this helps, or at least gives you some things to look into that might be helpful.

[horizon]

I am not on active chemo, but I have read extensively on this subject, and oncologists are nearly uniform in recommending the COVID-19 vaccines for cancer patients (including those on active chemo). And when I was on active chemo, my team told me to get a flu shot (I did).

They actually were able to give me a flu shot during one of the days I was already there for an infusion during my treatment!

[Siti]

Thanks for the feedback roadrunner & horizon.

My husband will proceed with the trial. His oncologist fully supports it. He will get his first dose of Moderna this Saturday! I will update on side effects (if any), and any interesting data. Looking forward to the world to resume some normalcy soon! We haven’t gone to a restaurant or seen my family for over a year now.

[Internal1]

Hello Siti,

I received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month and I didn’t have any side effects other than minor arm soreness at the side of injection. I am on active chemo( 5-fu and avastin). Some of my colleagues who don’t have cancer experienced fever, chills and myalgia after their second dose. They took NSAIDs and Tylenol and they were fine. Their side effects lasted for 2 days


Internal1

[Siti]

Hello Siti,

I received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month and I didn’t have any side effects other than minor arm soreness at the side of injection. I am on active chemo( 5-fu and avastin). Some of my colleagues who don’t have cancer experienced fever, chills and myalgia after their second dose. They took NSAIDs and Tylenol and they were fine. Their side effects lasted for 2 days


Internal1

That’s comforting to know! My husband had his first dose yesterday and everything is fine so far. Are you also enrolled in a trial or does Canada already have the green light on vaccinating patients under active cancer treatment?

[Internal1]

Hello Siti,

I am a physician and work in a hospital and I have direct contact with covid patients. In Canada, front line healthcare workers are getting vaccinated first . I was worried about the side effects but everything went well.

[stu]

Hi Siti,

Think we are a bit further ahead with our vaccine program . All clinical vulnerabilities have received their vaccines. All younger with underlying health conditions like asthma are getting done this week . Both myself ( carer) and two sons will receive our first dose this week .

Hoping to have all over 50s done within the next six weeks I think .
I have been keeping a close eye on our cancer forums . Vast majority have already had the vaccine. Just finding a suitable point in their treatment . Their partners in most cases too! Have actually not heard of anyone complaining of side effects . The only people to have hit my radar are frail elderly with underlying health conditions . But have found their feet again after a few days .

My mum is not on active treatment .

Interesting research coming through here ! The government rolled the dice and decided on one dose for most with a three month interval. A move away from the design protocols! Lots of controversy! Anyway they have been able to study a group with a delayed second dose and the longer gap has actually increased immunity from the first dose . Up in the 80s . So it seems to have paid off . Our death rate is plummeting although still too high but we have a pathway out of this !
Some good news for a change !
Stu

[Beckster]

I received my first dose of the Moderna vaccine on January 27th and the second dose on February 26th. First dose produced only a sore arm and slight headache. However, the second dose was a different story. Sore arm but 12 hours after the shot, I had a fever with chills and achy. This lasted for 24 hours. I am happy to say that i am back to normal!

[Siti]

I have been keeping a close eye on our cancer forums . Vast majority have already had the vaccine. Just finding a suitable point in their treatment . Their partners in most cases too! Have actually not heard of anyone complaining of side effects . The only people to have hit my radar are frail elderly with underlying health conditions . But have found their feet again after a few days .

Are they given the AstraZeneca vaccine? There’s such battle here in Europe and many have declined to be vaccinated if it was AstraZeneca because it has received a lot of bad press lately. I’m not sure if the press is reporting the same thing in the respective countries so sometimes I prefer to seek information from forums or speaking to locals.

Leaving the political battles aside, I’m really happy there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel (also with more sunshine as spring approaches!) and hopefully we can all be reunited with our families soon. My husband was really happy he received his vaccine yesterday and since he’s on the trial for 1 year, he will be closely monitored for antibodies which I think is an added bonus.

[stu]

Hi Siti ,

The GP practices have been using the Astra Zeneca vaccine . Much easier to store for them. I would think most elderly and vulnerable citizens will have had it as they mainly got vaccinated by their GP practices. The larger vaccine centres and the NHS frontline workers are able to store the Pfizer vaccine under the correct conditions . The results in the elderly population in terms of illness have been really encouraging .

I had briefly seen some of the resistance to the Oxford vaccine but on the ground it’s doing a good job . It has also been easier for NHS staff to administer to vulnerable adults who can’t leave their homes .

The infection rates and death rates are really starting to drop . There is Spring in the air and feeling of hope !
Take care ,
Stu