Pfizer Vaccine and Blood Cancer

[Naboo]

Hi I'm in the UK and on the FLAIR trial for CLL.

Kings College London recently reported that the Pfizer Covid vaccine is not very effective if a second shot is not given in the 3 week window for cancer patients, and particularly for blood cancer, kcl.ac.uk/news/delaying-sec...

Any opinions on what to do?

Thanks

[Walkingtall62]

Hi, had my second dose at eight weeks after first dose. Did chase my doctor for it. Just signed up with UK Biobank for research into antibodies after the vaccine where I could get the results instantaneously. So will see. No guarantees of course. It’s all so new so let’s see. Take care

[KrisBren01 in reply to Walkingtall62]

How did you find out about the research into antibodies after the vaccine. Keep us updated on how you get on with Bio bank xx

[Walkingtall62 in reply to KrisBren01]

Hi, no sure what country you are in - your profile doesn't say. But I have been doing bits of research for Bio Bank for 11-12yrs. Not so much recently and then they contacted me and asked if I was interested in this one. Also do the Birmingham research into antibodies, but one doesn't get to know personal results of that one. The latter came up a little while ago through this website. Hope all goes well

[mrsjsmith]

Naboo,

There were several posts here about this study a couple of weeks ago when this was mentioned on the BBC.

It was a very small study, from memory 9 blood cancer patients. I have no idea why it was such a small study. We know vaccines are less effective for us.

All I can suggest is contacting your Consultant or CNS and seeing if you can get yours moved forward.

Colette

[stewie]

Hi Naboo , Hope your well , in the report it states that after 5 weeks after the 1st vacination the blood cancer group was as low as 8 % they did not test what the increase was after the second vacination with in the 3 weeks , it found that with in the 3 weeks of the second vacination the results were much higher in certain cancer groups ,,so the gap of 3 months exposes the individuals to a higher risk of infection while waiting for the second vacination ,,,,not that the second vacination will not make a difference if not given with in the 3 weeks it's highlighting that we are valuable while waiting for the second one

Take care

Stewie

[Psmithuk in reply to stewie]

I hadn’t realised that. I hope you are right because it was a bit worrying, even after finding out it was such a small,sample. Thanks.Cx

[stewie in reply to Psmithuk]

Hi PsmithukHi yes that's what the report is highlighting that because cancer patients are waiting for 3 months for the second one , we are more exposed than the groups who had it with in the 3 weeks , they would not have had any data follow up for the ones who have waited 12 weeks for their second vacination,

Ideally we all would have had it with in that time frame in line with the original guidance off Bio Tech but hopefully be just as effective as the 3 week interval

Take care

Stewie

[bennevisplace]

Although the SOAP study by KIng's College & Francis Crick Insititute is a small one, it does imply that blood cancer patients will be at significantly higher risk than most, before and after vaccination. Which is what CLL specialists have been cautioning.

In the UK you're lucky if you receive your second dose of vaccine much sooner than the 12 week limit (with vaccine supply issues, maybe just a target now). So what to do in the meantime? Me, I'll carry on shielding, and after the second shot, carry on shielding.

You could have an antibody test 2-3 weeks after your second dose, but personally I would not be using antibody-positivity as a ticket to go pubbing and clubbing.

You could also see if you can get on the PROVENT trial, not sure if they are still recruiting. If you've been vaccinated you might not be eligible, but AZ have changed criteria since the start of the trial.

[zaax]

I had my Pfizer in early Feb. and yet to have 2nd shot, I have no antibodies

[Harvist in reply to zaax]

Same situation for me

[YelvertonDevon]

I have an appointment with my Haematologist next week this is on my list of questions. Second vaccination in June - AZ - should I have second sooner? Will depend on availability too.

[Harvist]

Government advice should have probably been stay shielding, at least until 2nd shot, for people in our situation.

[very]

I have just read on the news, that the over 70-S and the clinically vulnerable are to have a booster jab, from September.jenny uk