Older cancer patients should receive another dose of the vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated their COVID-19 vaccine guidelines for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, which includes many cancer patients.
The newest vaccine — the 2023–2024 Formula COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer-BioNTech) — protects against the latest variants of the coronavirus and is recommended for all people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, ages 6 months and older. The number of doses you will need of the 2023-2024 formula depends on whether you were vaccinated (and how many doses you had) of previous versions of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I encourage patients with cancer and those receiving cancer therapy to receive the updated vaccine and to check with their Roswell Park providers with any questions,” says Brahm Segal, MD, Chair of Internal Medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Time for another dose?
For people who already received the 2023-2024 Formula COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC now recommends one additional dose for immunocompromised people ages 12 and older — with their strongest urging for those age 65 and older. The new CDC guidelines state:
- People ages 65 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised SHOULD receive one additional dose of any updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer-BioNTech) at least two months after their last dose of updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine.
- People ages 12 - 64 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised MAY receive one additional dose of any updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer-BioNTech) at least two months after their last dose of updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine.
Further additional doses may be administered, informed by the clinical judgement of a healthcare provider and personal preference and circumstances. Any further doses should be administered at least two months after the last COVID-19 vaccine dose, too.
Who is immunocompromised?
You are considered moderately or severely immunocompromised if you:
- Are being treated for tumors or blood cancer, or you have received cancer treatment in the past year.
- Had an organ or stem cell transplant, or you take medicine to suppress your immune system for another condition.
- Have an immunodeficiency condition or an advanced or untreated HIV infection.
- Take high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress your immune response.
