Cancer patients, being immuno-compromised, are at a high risk of contracting Covid-19 and protection through vaccination is absolutely essential. In this context, Vydehi Cancer Center of Bangalore has indicated the following guidelines:
1. Cancer survivors aged more than 18 years (treated and cured of malignancy and who are on follow up) should be considered for Covid vaccine.
2. Cancer patients (solid malignancies) who are on chemotherapy (conventional chemotherapy and high dose chemotherapy) should be considered for Covid vaccine preferably before the start of next cycle when blood count is normal
3. Newly diagnosed cancer patients not planned for transplant/CAR-T cell therapy/high dose chemotherapy should be considered for Covid vaccine preferably before initiating chemotherapy
4. Patients who have undergone Stem Cell Transplant / CAR- T cell therapy should not be considered for Covid vaccine for at least 3 months after procedure
5. Acute Leukemia patients planned for induction or who are on treatment should not be considered for Covid vaccine
6. Cancer patient aged >18 years, being considered for surgery should be vaccinated after a minimum gap of 1 week after surgery
7. Cancer patients >18 years on radiotherapy should be considered for Covid vaccine.