COVID vaccination whilst on chemo?

[Crummy64]

Hi everyone, quick update - husband 66 diagnosed 13 months ago, G9, PSA 140, very extensive bone mets. Became castrate resistant after only 6 months and presently on cycle 8 of 10 rounds of docetaxel. The chemo has been very debilitating for him but he still struggles to get out there every day and work on the farm. His PSA is gradually creeping up - now 22 but his pain is largely under control so we assume the chemo is still working. We are in rural NSW and COVID has been until very recently a non issue so planned to wait until after chemo finished to get the jab. But the Delta strain has taken off in Aus so I think it’s only a matter of time before it gets here. I’m so reluctant to encourage anything that might make him feel worse - what do members think? And how did it affect them whilst on chemo?

[Tall_Allen]

Of course he needs the vaccine more than anyone.

[Jac_J]

It is probable that you will only be able to access the AstraZeneca vaccine as the Pfizer vaccine is in short supply in Australia.

AstraZeneca was initially recommended for over 50 year olds. After negative side effects this recommendation was changed to over 60 year olds.

I live in the Sydney region. In most local government area's Delta covid 19 is contained. In a few, it's endemic. If you are in rural NSW the media would probably give you the impressive that half of Sydney is infected and dying. Not true. At least not yet.

From my limited understanding, cancer increases the risk for thromboembolic disease.

AstraZeneca has also been associated with the increased risk of thrombosis.

You may wish to evaluate the risks with qualified medical people before proceeding imo. In my experience with my oncologist they may down play the risks. Im pro vaccine, but Im also aware that ultimately my health is my responsibility.

abc.net.au/news/2021-07-22/...

tga.gov.au/periodic/covid-1...

"Over the last week, four additional cases of blood clots with low blood platelets have been assessed as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) likely to be linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. When assessed using the UK case definition, one was confirmed and three were deemed probable TTS. This brings the total number of cases of TTS to 87 from 6.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine administered to date.