Given the rapidly expanding global spread of the SARS-Co-V-2 virus and the expanding number of individuals with the serious and potentially fatal illness,
COVID-19, there is an urgent need for safe and effective
vaccines. Based on compelling evidence that patients with
cancer are at increased risk for greater morbidity and mortality with
COVID-19, several professional organizations have provided early guidance on the role of
COVID-19 vaccines in patients with malignant disease. In this commentary we review the available data on the efficacy and safety of the approved and forthcoming
vaccines in patients with
cancer. Based on a review of the totality of available evidence, we recommend that most patients with
cancer should receive the recommended dose and schedule of one of the
COVID-19 vaccines when available. We encourage industry, regulators and professional research organizations to carefully track the efficacy and safety of
COVID-19 vaccination in patients with
cancer in the real world setting and routinely report unanticipated adverse events and signs of loss of efficacy. Particular attention is needed for patients on active
cancer therapy to carefully evaluate efficacy and safety in relationship to the timing of vaccination relative to that of active
cancer treatment and immunosuppression.