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COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Cancer Patients: A Single Center Experience

Received: 7 January 2022     Accepted: 25 April 2022     Published: 10 May 2022
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Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID pandemic and in front of the anguish of patients with cancer in a totally gloomy atmosphere, in front of their worries and the confusion of some patients but also of some colleagues not specialists in oncology, the medical oncology department of the Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Constantine, launched a vaccination campaign for eligible patients, during the vaccination campaign initiated by the Ministry of Health. Materials and Methods: Faced with the risk of contracting the severe form of COVID-19 in patients with cancer, immunocompromised by the disease, by the treatments received or to be received but also living in an environment not spared by the COVID-19 infection, the team of the medical oncology department thought of this type of patients and developed a well-established vaccination protocol for patients with cancer. This vaccination protocol respected all barrier measures while taking certain precautions to eliminate patients who would be carriers of an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection or whose symptoms would be like oncology emergencies. Results: Without any obligation and after informed and approved consent by the patient, the vaccination lasted five days and saw significant patient adherence. Out of 379 patients who came to the department during these five days, 201 patients agreed to be vaccinated, representing a percentage of 53.03% and only 180 patients (47.49%) were vaccinated (due to lack of sufficient quantity of vaccines at our level during these five days and the high adherence of patients)), against 8.97% of refusal (34 patients). The remaining patients (37.9%) had either absolute or non-absolute contraindications to vaccination or had contracted a recent COVID infection; delaying the vaccination to 3 months. Only one side effect (0.55%) was noted; that of hypoglycemia in a patient who presented on an empty stomach to the ward All these patients (100%) agreed to be vaccinated in the oncology department and refused to join the vaccination site opened within the establishment because of a relationship of trust - security established between patients-attending physicians Conclusion: Medical work department and preventive epidemiology services should continue to vaccinate health personnel and the population; eligible respectively but the category of eligible patients (which is no longer an eligible person but an eligible patient); and especially patients with chronic diseases should be cared for in treatment’s centers according to patients' choices.

Published in International Journal of Clinical Oncology and Cancer Research (Volume 7, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13
Page(s) 29-34
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Vaccination, COVID-19, Cancer, Patients, Eligible, Trust, Safety

References
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[2] Analyses of risk, racial disparity, and outcomes among US patients with cancer and COVID-19 infection. JAMA Oncol 2020 Dec 10 Wang Q, Berger NA, Xu R.
[3] Kuderer, N. M. et al. Clinical impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer (CCC19): a cohort study. Lancet 395, 1907–1918 (2020).
[4] Zhang L, Zhu F, Xie L, et al. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19-infected cancer patients: a retrospective case study in three hospitals within Wuhan, China. Ann Oncol. 2020.
[5] COVID-19 vaccine guidance for patients with cancer participating in oncology clinical trials: Aakash Desai & the COVID-19 and Cancer Clinical Trials Working Group Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology volume 18, pages 313–319 (2021).
[6] Baden, L. R. et al. Efficacy and safety of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. N. Engl. J. Med. 384, 403–416 (2020).
[7] Zhang, Y. et al. Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in healthy adults aged 18–59 years: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 clinical trial. Lancet Infect. Dis. 21, 181–192 (2020).
[8] Desai, A., Sachdeva, S., Parekh, T. & Desai, R. COVID-19 and cancer: lessons from a pooled meta-analysis. JCO Glob. Oncol. 6, 557–559 (2020).
[9] Understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance: another challenge in cancer patients: Nesrine Mejri, Yosra Berrazaga, Emna Ouertani, Haifa Rachdi, Meriem Bohli, Lotfi Kochbati & Hamouda Boussen Supportive Care in Cancer (2021).
[10] COVID-19 vaccine race: watch your step for cancer patients Raphaelle Fanciullino, Joseph Ciccolini & Gerard Milano, British Journal of Cancer volume 124, pages 860–861 (2021).
[11] The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Patients Osama M. Al-Quteimat, MSc, BCOP* and Amer Mustafa Amer, BSc, MSc† Am J Clin Oncol. 2020 Apr 23: 10.1097/COC.0000000000000712. Published online 2020 Apr 23. doi: 10.1097/COC.0000000000000712.
[12] Liang W, Guan W, Chen R, et al. Cancer patients in SARS-CoV-2 infection: a nationwide analysis in China. Lancet Oncol. 2020; 21: 335–337.
[13] Wang H, Zhang L. Risk of COVID-19 for patients with cancer. Lancet Oncol. 2020; 21: E181.
[14] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. COVID-19 rapid guideline: delivery of systemic anticancer treatments. March 20, 2020.
[15] European Society of Medical Oncology. COVID-19 and cancer.
[16] Ueda M, Martins R, Hendrie PC, et al. Managing cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic: agility and collaboration toward a common goal. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2020; 18: 1–4.
[17] Kutikov A, Weinberg DS, Edelman MJ, et al. A war on two fronts: cancer care in the time of COVID-19. Ann Intern Med. 2020. Doi: 10.7326/M20-1133.
[18] COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among individuals with cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other serious comorbid conditions, R Tsai, J Hervey, KD Hoffman, J Wood, J Novack… - medRxiv, 2021 - medrxiv.org
[19] COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Cancer Patients: A Single Centre Experience By Alfred Chung Pui So, Harriet McGrath, Jonathan Ting, Krishnie Srikandarajah, Styliani Germanou, Charlotte Moss, Beth Russell, Maria Monroy-Iglesias, Saoirse Dolly, Sheeba Irshad, Mieke Van Hemelrijck and Deborah Enting, Cancers 2021, 13 (14), 3573; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13143573
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[22] ASCO: COVID-19 Vaccines and Patients with Cancer. https://www.asco.org/asco-coronavirus-resources/covid-19-vaccines-patients-cancer, March 5, 2021.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Assia Bensalem, Abdellaziz Ammari, Chouaib Hellal, Sihem Bensalem, Kamel Bouzid, et al. (2022). COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Cancer Patients: A Single Center Experience. International Journal of Clinical Oncology and Cancer Research, 7(2), 29-34. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13

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    ACS Style

    Assia Bensalem; Abdellaziz Ammari; Chouaib Hellal; Sihem Bensalem; Kamel Bouzid, et al. COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Cancer Patients: A Single Center Experience. Int. J. Clin. Oncol. Cancer Res. 2022, 7(2), 29-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13

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    AMA Style

    Assia Bensalem, Abdellaziz Ammari, Chouaib Hellal, Sihem Bensalem, Kamel Bouzid, et al. COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Cancer Patients: A Single Center Experience. Int J Clin Oncol Cancer Res. 2022;7(2):29-34. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13,
      author = {Assia Bensalem and Abdellaziz Ammari and Chouaib Hellal and Sihem Bensalem and Kamel Bouzid and Nour El Houda Kellab and Houda Meguellati and Amina Boudraa and Asma Seghiri and Ouided Messalbi and Meryem Barani and Nour El Houda Sloula and Samia Kouartel and Asma Bououdina and Amira Sadou and Tarek Bendjeddou and Hiba Rais and Nour El Islam Mecheri and Nadjet Lachter and Meryem Boudjerda},
      title = {COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Cancer Patients: A Single Center Experience},
      journal = {International Journal of Clinical Oncology and Cancer Research},
      volume = {7},
      number = {2},
      pages = {29-34},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcocr.20220702.13},
      abstract = {Introduction: During the COVID pandemic and in front of the anguish of patients with cancer in a totally gloomy atmosphere, in front of their worries and the confusion of some patients but also of some colleagues not specialists in oncology, the medical oncology department of the Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Constantine, launched a vaccination campaign for eligible patients, during the vaccination campaign initiated by the Ministry of Health. Materials and Methods: Faced with the risk of contracting the severe form of COVID-19 in patients with cancer, immunocompromised by the disease, by the treatments received or to be received but also living in an environment not spared by the COVID-19 infection, the team of the medical oncology department thought of this type of patients and developed a well-established vaccination protocol for patients with cancer. This vaccination protocol respected all barrier measures while taking certain precautions to eliminate patients who would be carriers of an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection or whose symptoms would be like oncology emergencies. Results: Without any obligation and after informed and approved consent by the patient, the vaccination lasted five days and saw significant patient adherence. Out of 379 patients who came to the department during these five days, 201 patients agreed to be vaccinated, representing a percentage of 53.03% and only 180 patients (47.49%) were vaccinated (due to lack of sufficient quantity of vaccines at our level during these five days and the high adherence of patients)), against 8.97% of refusal (34 patients). The remaining patients (37.9%) had either absolute or non-absolute contraindications to vaccination or had contracted a recent COVID infection; delaying the vaccination to 3 months. Only one side effect (0.55%) was noted; that of hypoglycemia in a patient who presented on an empty stomach to the ward All these patients (100%) agreed to be vaccinated in the oncology department and refused to join the vaccination site opened within the establishment because of a relationship of trust - security established between patients-attending physicians Conclusion: Medical work department and preventive epidemiology services should continue to vaccinate health personnel and the population; eligible respectively but the category of eligible patients (which is no longer an eligible person but an eligible patient); and especially patients with chronic diseases should be cared for in treatment’s centers according to patients' choices.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Cancer Patients: A Single Center Experience
    AU  - Assia Bensalem
    AU  - Abdellaziz Ammari
    AU  - Chouaib Hellal
    AU  - Sihem Bensalem
    AU  - Kamel Bouzid
    AU  - Nour El Houda Kellab
    AU  - Houda Meguellati
    AU  - Amina Boudraa
    AU  - Asma Seghiri
    AU  - Ouided Messalbi
    AU  - Meryem Barani
    AU  - Nour El Houda Sloula
    AU  - Samia Kouartel
    AU  - Asma Bououdina
    AU  - Amira Sadou
    AU  - Tarek Bendjeddou
    AU  - Hiba Rais
    AU  - Nour El Islam Mecheri
    AU  - Nadjet Lachter
    AU  - Meryem Boudjerda
    Y1  - 2022/05/10
    PY  - 2022
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13
    T2  - International Journal of Clinical Oncology and Cancer Research
    JF  - International Journal of Clinical Oncology and Cancer Research
    JO  - International Journal of Clinical Oncology and Cancer Research
    SP  - 29
    EP  - 34
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-9511
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcocr.20220702.13
    AB  - Introduction: During the COVID pandemic and in front of the anguish of patients with cancer in a totally gloomy atmosphere, in front of their worries and the confusion of some patients but also of some colleagues not specialists in oncology, the medical oncology department of the Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Constantine, launched a vaccination campaign for eligible patients, during the vaccination campaign initiated by the Ministry of Health. Materials and Methods: Faced with the risk of contracting the severe form of COVID-19 in patients with cancer, immunocompromised by the disease, by the treatments received or to be received but also living in an environment not spared by the COVID-19 infection, the team of the medical oncology department thought of this type of patients and developed a well-established vaccination protocol for patients with cancer. This vaccination protocol respected all barrier measures while taking certain precautions to eliminate patients who would be carriers of an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection or whose symptoms would be like oncology emergencies. Results: Without any obligation and after informed and approved consent by the patient, the vaccination lasted five days and saw significant patient adherence. Out of 379 patients who came to the department during these five days, 201 patients agreed to be vaccinated, representing a percentage of 53.03% and only 180 patients (47.49%) were vaccinated (due to lack of sufficient quantity of vaccines at our level during these five days and the high adherence of patients)), against 8.97% of refusal (34 patients). The remaining patients (37.9%) had either absolute or non-absolute contraindications to vaccination or had contracted a recent COVID infection; delaying the vaccination to 3 months. Only one side effect (0.55%) was noted; that of hypoglycemia in a patient who presented on an empty stomach to the ward All these patients (100%) agreed to be vaccinated in the oncology department and refused to join the vaccination site opened within the establishment because of a relationship of trust - security established between patients-attending physicians Conclusion: Medical work department and preventive epidemiology services should continue to vaccinate health personnel and the population; eligible respectively but the category of eligible patients (which is no longer an eligible person but an eligible patient); and especially patients with chronic diseases should be cared for in treatment’s centers according to patients' choices.
    VL  - 7
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Endocrinology-Diabetology and Metabolic diseases, Regional University Military Hospital Commander Abdellali Benbaatouche (HMRUC) Constantine, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Center Pierre and Marie Curie, Faculty of Medicine, University of Algiers, Algiers, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

  • Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Faculty of Medicine, University Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria

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