Vaccine & Cancer Patients

The situation for every person who has (or has had) cancer is different, so it is best to discuss the risks and benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine with your cancer doctor. They can advise you about if and when you should receive it. To learn more, visit the American Cancer Society's COVID-19 Vaccines in People with Cancer.

Is it safe for cancer patients to get any type of vaccine?

People with cancer (or with a history of cancer) can get some vaccines, but this depends on many factors, such as the type of vaccine, the type of cancer a person has (had), if they are still being treated for cancer, and if their immune system is working properly.

Should cancer patients and survivors get the vaccine?

The initial studies testing the COVID-19 vaccines did not include people getting treatment with drugs that suppress the immune system, like chemotherapy (chemo), or people who have weakened immune systems for other reasons. (This is because the studies needed to see first if the vaccines work in people with healthy immune systems.) Because of this, it’s not yet clear how effective the vaccines might be in these groups of people.

It’s generally recommended that vaccines not be given during chemo or radiation treatments. (An exception to this is the flu shot.) This is mainly because vaccines need a healthy immune system response to work, and you may not get a good response if your immune system is suppressed by your cancer treatment. Some types of immunotherapy might affect the immune system as well.

The situation for every person who has (or has had) cancer is different, so it is best to discuss the risks and benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine with your cancer doctor. They can advise you about if and when you should receive it.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines available for people with cancer?

The supply of vaccines in the United States is likely to be limited for some time. It might also vary in different parts of the country based on the distribution of the vaccine, the priorities for vaccination in different areas, and the number of people who want to get the vaccine.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made recommendations as to which groups of people should get the vaccines first. States and other authorities are using these recommendations to guide their distribution of the vaccine, although they do not have to follow them exactly. (In fact, some states have chosen to use slightly different priorities when deciding which groups should be offered the vaccines first.)

Cancer patients and people with a history of cancer are not included in the first group of people the CDC has recommended to get the vaccines. But people with cancer might be considered in the one of next priority groups, which includes people with certain high-risk medical conditions.