COVID-19 vaccination in patients with cancer: Position paper from the Indonesian Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology (ISHMO) of Semarang

Patients with active cancer (cancer on treatment, those planning to start and immediately post-treatment) consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine, like other vulnerable populations, reduce severe risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We suggest patients should be vaccinated a non-lived vaccine. Specific consideration belongs type cancer, current phase disease along continuum, optimal timing for vaccination; they talk their hematologist-medical oncologist. Vaccination live-attenuated replicating-vector vaccine is strongly discouraged in receiving chemotherapy during immunocompromising therapies. For intensive (e.g., induction or consolidation therapy acute leukemia), anti-B-cell antibodies, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), immunocompromised conditions, we postponing vaccination until reaching stable lymphocyte counts due infectivity. Cancer survivors are considered have same as persons matched aged factors. They also early possible. There various factors which must related complications COVID-19, such age, comorbid diseases, demographic social All these judged comprehensive evaluation an individual patient. The use masks, physical distancing, hygienic activities washing hands soap hand sanitizers still needed this pandemic. Caregivers households certainly included strategies.