Has anyone received the Covid-19 Vaccine while taking Immunotherapy?

[Jenniferroseolson]

Fellow cancer patients, I have been very concerned about how my immunotherapy (Opdivo/nivolumab) might affect my body’s response to the Covid-19 vaccine. During my past year on this treatment, my immune system has “overresponded” on several occasions as can be a side-effect of the treatment. Although the doses haven’t trickled down to patients at my cancer center yet, I was able to schedule my first appointment at a local hospital for the end of this week. When I first began asking this question, I had not spoken to my oncologist yet. Subsequently, he has indicated that the benefits outweigh the risks of the vaccine (which has not been broadly trialed with cancer patients) and that we don’t have time to simply wait for more date. The risk of complications from Covid-19 to us lung cancer patients is so high. I intend to go forward with my first dose Friday. Has anyone had the vaccine yet (while also being treated by immunotherapy)? I am posting this more broadly since melanoma and other patients have been receiving this therapy longer than metastatic lung cancer patients like myself.

[JanetteR57]

There are people who are on the UK lc patient forums who've had it and whose clinicians have encouraged them to have it due to the high risk if we contract it. Many lung cancer patients and survivors also have other respiratory conditions e.g. COPD, asthma that increase their risk still further. You may find this helpful.... this applies to the UK and there are similar Q&A available on the British Lung foundation and being prepared for European Lung Foundation... so look for respiratory and lung cancer charity websites in your own country as there may be differences in the priority groups in different healthcare systems... roycastle.org/covid-19/info...

[Jenniferroseolson in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you, Janette. Very helpful. I will let you all know how it goes for me.

[JanetteR57 in reply to Jenniferroseolson]

Please do.... good luck.

[etpd2226 in reply to JanetteR57]

Hi JanetteI am on immunotherapy Keytruda and plan to get the vaccine as soon as possible. I’m classified as stage IV adenocarcinoma. The vaccine benefits outweigh the virus risks. What lung and cancer specialist know is that those with lung cancers hi contract covid are impacted more severely than healthy others. What his not known and will not be for some time is whether the vaccine offers enough protection or will those with lung cancer and their varied treatments require additional shots. Good luck with your shots. I hope to get mine as soon as I can. 💕😊

[Jenniferroseolson in reply to etpd2226]

The Go2Foundation living room this week discussed this quite a bit: the idea that perhaps lung cancer patients don’t mount as significant of an immune response and for may require additional “booster shots” to achieve the same level of immunity that comparatively healthy people don’t need. I will also be asking my oncologist about antibody testing...if it would be beneficial to have that testing several weeks after the second vaccine dose to have a look at whether or not my body produce a significant level of antibodies.AAAnd, even after vaccination, my personal behaviors will not change much. I will still likely be more conservative and rule-following than nearly everyone I know, to protect myself as well as our community at large.

[etpd2226 in reply to Jenniferroseolson]

Yes I watched the living room webinar from Go2. It was excellent. Someone asked about antibody testing but they thought it may be too soon given the vaccine dilemma at present. My very fearful and conservative oncologist wanted me to wait for more results. But I disagree. I have much more to lose if I get the virus. The vaccine effects will eventually be determined but my hope is that I will have some protections. Like you, my safety protocols will remain the same.

[JanetteR57 in reply to etpd2226]

Thank you - had my first one this morning. Regarding the risk of lung cancer and covid 19 outcomes, the UK has a major study monitoring many centres around the countries of various cancer types and covid 19. Lung cancer originally suspected would have the worst outcomes of cancers. not bearing out (it's currently 4th) but agree staying safe and not worth risking developing it remain my strategy too. mcusercontent.com/fb498ef7e...

[NRd19]

My Dad has been on immunotherapy for 18months and has had his Pfizer vaccine last Sunday and he has been fine xx

[Jenniferroseolson in reply to NRd19]

Update: I had my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine thursday. Other than a sore arm, I have not had any noticeable side effects. If I had felt a little lousy, I might be more confident that my immune system was creating a good response...lol. I’m so grateful to have been able to track down an appointment opportunity to be vaccinated. It hasn’t trickled down to cancer patients yet in my hospital system.

[judg69]

Not currently on chemo , but my immune system is fairly well shot due to many serious conditions ( check my profile ). I had my first shot (Pfizer ) two weeks ago with few if any side effects at all. I have my second shot this Thursday. So , hopefully all well go well for you, judg69

[Kayseez]

This is probably too late but I wanted to let you know that I had the vaccine - Astra Zenica two weeks ago and was fine. I am on Pembrolizamab . You are right we don't know the long term effects as people with cancer were not in the research trials. Or probably not. But I was and am fine with the vaccine.

[Jenniferroseolson]

Two months out from my second dose of Pfizer. Back to living with the usual side effects of cancer treatments. The only member of my family not vaccinated yet is my 14 year old son, so just waiting for the vaccine to be made available to younger people.