Can people with cancer be vaccinated against COVID-19?

Vaccination is recommended and safe for both current and former cancer patients, director of the Almaty regional multidisciplinary clinic Sayakhat Olzhayev said.

According to him, the available vaccines from COVID‑19 (Gam-Covid - Vac" (Sputnik - V), Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen/Johnsson and Johnsson) do not contain a live virus, so they are safe even for people with a weakened immune system.

Also during the briefing, the doctor spoke about the clinical features of coronavirus infection among patients with cancer.

Patients with cancer are very sensitive to infections, this is due to an immunodeficiency condition caused by special therapy for a malignant neoplasm.

"The following clinical features were identified in patients with malignant neoplasms infected with Covid-19: in addition to the typical signs, such as cough, fever, weakness, there was also a reduction in breathing, even with less physical activity, headache, general weakness, chills, sweating, decreased resistance to physical activity. Anemia and hypoproteinemia were observed in two patients with malignant neoplasms, which can negatively affect immunocompetence and increase sensitivity to respiratory pathogens. Also, the age of the patient over 60 years and the presence of concomitant diseases in the anamnesis affect the clinical course of COVID-19 in patients, " said Sayakhat Olzhayev.