Cancer patients too can take the Covid-19 vaccine, but under medical supervision, cancer specialists said ahead of the World Cancer Day on February 4. Though few patients with cancer were included in the vaccine trials, they said that going by various studies, vaccines look safe for cancer patients.

 At a time when several countries, including India, have started the Covid vaccination drive, cancer patients, one of the vulnerable groups, are waiting to hear if they can also take the jab. Doctors said that this can be done only with safe and effective vaccines along with the coordinated global vaccination programme.

Dr. Ajay Chanakya Vallabhaneni, Consultant Surgical Oncologist and Robotic Surgeon, KIMS Hospitals, says:   "The efficacy and duration of immunity in patients with cancer are still unknown and unexplored. Given the often-immune compromised status and the frailty of cancer patients, it is suggested to monitor in the context of registries and dedicated clinical trials. Close surveillance and monitoring of patients with cancer is required after Covid-19 vaccination to assess the potential adverse events and measure clinical outcomes like infection, severity and mortality from Covid-19, complications from cancer etc.,"

Of more than 200 vaccines being developed across the world, three are being indigenously produced in India. Though all these vaccines are aimed at providing immunity against the SARS-CoV2 infection, the presentation of antigens to the host for the development of antibodies relies on various technologies or platforms. The efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines can also vary in patients with distinct contexts of malignant diseases such as tumour type, disease extent, intrinsic or therapy-induced immune suppression. According to doctors, benefits of vaccination seem to outweigh the risks.

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