Cancer experts offer guidance on COVID-19 vaccination for patients with blood cancer, including Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL)

[AussieNeil]

While not CLL specific, there shouldn't be any surprises here. However it is still worth repeating in an unlocked post for anyone with CLL looking for guidance.

A collaborative team of cancer experts from leading academic institutions and organizations has released recommendations for optimal protection against COVID-19 among individuals with blood cancer.

:

A literature review of 24 series showed patients with hematologic malignancies have suboptimal responses to COVID-19 vaccination and boosters.

Lee Greenberger, PhD

Lee Greenberger

“The recommendations were made now because many [patients with blood cancer] take immunosuppressive drugs and are eligible for booster vaccination,” Lee Greenberger, PhD, chief scientific officer of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), said in an interview with Healio. “However, as described in our recently published paper, it is likely that approximately 50% of the patients with hematologic malignancies who did not make anti-spike antibodies to the initial vaccination will make antibodies after booster vaccination. We believe it is critically important for these [patients with blood cancer] to be aware that they still may be vulnerable to COVID-19 infections more so than the general population.”

Awareness and vigilance

In response to the elevated risk patients with blood cancer continue to face, the group of experts recommended the following:

- priority administration of additional vaccine doses to patients with blood cancer;

- ongoing compliance with masking and social-distancing protocols;

- frequent COVID testing, even among those vaccinated, and prompt treatment with monoclonal antibodies, convalescent plasma and antiviral therapies for infected individuals;

- vaccination of those in frequent proximity to individuals with blood cancer, including caregivers and household members aged 12 years and older;

- required COVID-19 vaccination for all health care system staff, and a call to provide staff with priority vaccine administration to maintain high levels of protection in this group; and

- increased awareness of the entire immune response to vaccination in patients with blood cancer, including a better understanding of the correlation between the level of antibodies after vaccination and possible breakthrough infections in such patients.

healio.com/news/hematology-...

In other news:-

USA COVID-19 vaccines' approvals, authorizations, efficacy rates, and dosages

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FDA Moderna booster vote questions

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Neil

[teakbank12]

I wish those so called GP and consultants listened to this instruction rather than denying knowing anything about a third primary dose and having given us so much grief and stress trying prove what we already know.They don't follow the guidance about vaccinations of those in close contact ie carers and family members.

How do we get the UK government to listen to this guidance too and let the general public know of our plight.

Dave

[Walkingtall62]

What a lovely bright yellow flower to wake up to. And thanks for the reports. I am very grateful both consultant and GP in the UK chased me to have third dose!

[Susanbarratt in reply to Walkingtall62]

Our GP is having nothing to do with the booster/third jab. The hospital said they're behind and will send a letter out, none received as of yet.

[Walkingtall62 in reply to Susanbarratt]

Sorry to hear that. I am sure it will come soon. Take care

[CCgroup]

Hi Neil. Once gain, many thanks for your work on getting this sort of information to us. I've note been able to get a third jab here in Costa Rica, but will be in Canada in December and I'll see if I can get it there.Your work and updates are very much appreciated.

Dan

[hutampico]

Since early April 2020 still NOT presenting lymphocytosis in my C.B.C., with differentials as I've continued with 150mg to 300mg Artemisinin, along with Quercetin, Vit.D 3+Vit. K2, Zinc, Resveratrol, and a few other supplements. At my annual visit with my hematologist she was very pleased with all of my lab work panels, and she ended her report "My patient John ----- -------, can continue to perform his work activities without restrictions, as he is now presenting normal in his laboratory examinations. Patient is not presenting lymphocytosis, nor B symptoms for CLL." (In response to this, the internal medicine doctor in charge of Seafarers' Union sailors CLEARED me for work aboard COMMERCIAL ships,..... but with the CURRENT REGIMES' M.R.N.A. THERAPY MANDATES,..... they are OBVIOUSLY dedicated to DEALING THE FINAL DEATH BLOW to my seafaring career/livelihood over over 40 years, and THIS is years ahead of qualifying for Social Security income, and benefits..... Meanwhile 2-5 MILLION ILLEGAL ALIENS were let in the past year, and that FLOOD are often being VERY well taken care of..... Still,..... I AM GRATEFUL that I've felt perfectly fine all this time, and ( as far as I know!) never contracted Covid-19,nor even anything else since this business started... Ultrasound showed that one year of Dutasteride shrank my prostate back to normal size, so the urologist took me off of it, and said just to get a P.S.A., and ultrasound once a year to monitor it. I had medical coverage from March to Dec.31st, but in early November a Houston area vein clinic told me it would be 3 EFFEN' MONTHS to set up everything with my unions' health plan(!) to finally do something about the varicose veins on my left leg. Hematologists offices told me 6 WEEKS to get a mere consultation with a hematologist., whereas in Reynosa, Mexico THERE IS NO WAIT, or the wait is ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS... To merely consult/visit an ordinary M.D. next to a nearby "Farmacias Similares" is IMMEDIATE, and costs the equivalent of ~ $2.50 U.S. Dollars... I honestly had no idea that the medical situation is SO VERY BROKEN/DISFUNCTIONAL now in the U.S..... REALLY PATHETIC, EH...(?).....