What Cancer Patients Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines
Welcome to this bonus episode of Our MBC Life. We are pleased to again highlight a program from our parent non-profit SHARE Cancer Support. We are less than 2 weeks away from Season 2. The premiere episode will drop on March 1. While we do that, we hope you catch up on any episodes you missed from Season 1.
Our MBC Life is a part of the metastatic breast cancer program at SHARE Cancer Support. SHARE has many programs to support women living with MBC including the Talk METS Helpline, several virtual support groups, and educational and wellness programs. We are thrilled to highlight another important program presented by SHARE a few weeks ago. For many of us living with cancer there are numerous questions about COVID-19, the vaccines, and what we need to know to best take care of ourselves. How do we know if the vaccine is effective for cancer patients if we were not included in the trials? Can I continue my treatment while getting the vaccine? What about certain types of chemo and reactions? Should I get the vaccine if I’ve already had Covid? What about my immune system, am I at greater risk?
On February 11 SHARE invited Dr. Joshua Hill from Fred Hutchinson Research Center to discuss the COVID-19 Vaccine in relation to cancer patients and their treatment.
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
Can mRNA vaccines be used in cancer care?
Understanding and Explaining mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
Lipid nanoparticles in COVID-19 vaccine
The immune system and the antibody response
Difference Between mRNA Vaccine and Traditional Vaccine
COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Patients in Cancer Remission at High Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and cancer
COVID-19 Vaccines
Johnson & Johnson Adenovirus-Based Viral Vector Vaccine
AstraZeneca-Oxford Adenovirus-Based Vaccine
Novavax Recombinant Nanoparticle Vaccine
Sanofi/GSK Protein-based Recombinant Vaccine
OVERVIEW
00:01:30 - Introductions. (Jump to section)
00:03:25- General Remarks about COVID-19 vaccines. (Jump to section)
00:11:36 - Q1. Does each person receive the same dose of vaccine or is it personalized in some way? (Jump to section)
00:12:40 - Q2. Does a strong reaction to the vaccine mean that you have a stronger immune response? (Jump to section)
00:13:56 - Q3. Can you get coronavirus from vaccine? Do these vaccines have traces of SARS and HIV among heavy metals that can weaken a patient who has cancer? (Jump to section)
00:17:19 - Q4. Can the genetic code that's part of this vaccine somehow affect your own DNA or your own genetics? (Jump to section)
00:18:36 - Q5. How long before or after undergoing an invasive procedure should one wait to get vaccinated? (Jump to section)
00:19:48 - Q6. Is there a white cell count you should have before taking the vaccine? (Jump to section)
00:20:46 - Q7. If you have had the virus already, should you take the vaccine? (Jump to section)
00:22:00 - Q8a. Is the second vaccine exactly the same as the first one? (Jump to section)
00:22:00 - Q8b. Can you mix and match vaccines? (Jump to section)
00 -23:05 Q9. Is it okay to get a second vaccine earlier than recommended? (Jump to section)
00:24:00 - Q10. Why does COVID-19 seem to have a more detrimental effect on certain populations? (Jump to section)
00:26:28 - Q11. Why should I, as a cancer patient, get the COVID-19 vaccine? What are some of the pros and what are some of the cons? (Jump to section)
00:29:19- Q12. How long should I wait after the vaccination before resuming any cancer related treatment? (Jump to section)
00:30:38 - Q13. Do you know if there's anything about these vaccines that would encourage cancer to grow or spread? (Jump to section)
00:32:17 - Q14. Is there a risk in taking the vaccine for a person that has a compromised immune system due to chemotherapy? (Jump to section)
00:33:42 - Q15. Should or could cancer patients get the vaccine while they are in active treatment? (Jump to section)
00:35:00 - Q 16. How might COVID vaccine affect your underlying cancer? Do the components of this vaccine interact with cancer? (Jump to section)
00:36:08 - Q17. Why aren't high risk patients who are under 65 being prioritized? (Jump to section)
00:38:27 - Q18. Is it true that people who had allergic reactions to Taxol or Taxotere should not get the vaccine? (Jump to section)
00:39:52 - Q19. How long does immunity last after having the vaccines? (Jump to section)
00:41:00 - Q20. Is there any cancer research that is being done to use mRNA technology to treat cancer? (Jump to section)
00:41:52 - Q21. What is the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on cancer patients on PARP inhibitors? (Jump to section)
0042:11 - Q22. Is it ok for people who have egg and dairy allergies get a COVID vaccine? (Jump to section)
00:42:49 - Q23. What happens when antibodies start to wane? (Jump to section)
00:44:07 - Q24. Is the vaccine recommended for people undergoing immunotherapy treatment for cancer? (Jump to section)
00:45:07 - Q25. Do we know what groups are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19? And do we know what some of those long-term serious complications associated with COVID-19 are? (Jump to section)
00:47:14 - Q26. When do you achieve the maximum immune response after the second vaccine? How long before the vaccine becomes most effective? (Jump to section)
00:48:04 - Q27. Can you take Tylenol or any general pain reliever after the vaccination, if you're experiencing side effects?? (Jump to section)
00:49:04 - Q28. Must you get the vaccine in your arm? Can you get it anywhere else? (Jump to section)
00:49:59 - Q29. Why have these vaccines not been FDA approved yet? (Jump to section)