COVID-19 vaccination: Experts recommend booster vaccinations for people with cancer
15.11.2021 12:26
Cancer patients should also preferably receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination. The Corona Task Force of the German Cancer Research Center, the German Cancer Aid and the German Cancer Society advocates this.
Studies indicate that people with cancer have a comparatively higher risk of so-called breakthrough infections. “This applies in particular to people with blood cancer and to cancer patients who are currently receiving cancer therapy that weakens the immune system,” explains Prof. Dr. Michael Baumann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, this recommendation. "Please discuss with your doctor whether and when a booster vaccination is indicated," advises Baumann.
“In fact, we are currently observing a rapid increase in COVID-19 incidences and an increasingly heavy burden on intensive care units. The majority of people who require intensive care belong to the group of non-vaccinated people or are vaccinated and have one or more previous illnesses. Unlike last winter, we now have an effective and safe instrument at our disposal to contain the fourth wave of COVID-19 - the COVID-19 vaccination," adds Prof. Dr. Thomas Seufferlein, President of the German Cancer Society (DKG). “With a booster vaccination, people with cancer, whose vaccination protection may decrease more quickly than in healthy people, can also reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill in the event of a breakthrough infection.”
“The rapid and continuous increase in COVID-19 incidence rates causes us great concern,” confirms Gerd Nettekoven, CEO of the German Cancer Aid. “It is all the more important that cancer patients are given the opportunity to receive a booster vaccination. In addition, we appeal to citizens who have not yet been vaccinated: You can all slow down the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections by making use of your right to a vaccination wherever possible. In doing so, you not only protect yourself, but also contribute to better protection of people with serious illnesses from a serious course of COVID-19 and death.”
In order to record possible changes in the oncological care situation, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the German Cancer Aid have resumed their regular survey at 18 large German university cancer centers (Comprehensive Cancer Centers). This survey was initiated in 2020 as part of the Corona task force of DKFZ, German Cancer Aid and DKG in order to identify supply bottlenecks and restrictions at an early stage and to seek dialogue with political decision-makers. After significant restrictions were recorded in individual supply areas during the first wave of the pandemic, the supply situation largely normalized in the second half of 2021. In view of the increasing number of infections and the looming strain on inpatient care capacities, oncological care activities are monitored at regular intervals. The first results on the current supply situation can be expected in the course of November.