Cancer patients should get inactivated Covid vaccine, says hospital director
A hospital director has advised cancer patients to choose inactivated Covid-19 vaccine to protect their weakened immune systems.
The only inactivated Covid-19 vaccine currently available in Thailand is the Sinovac brand.
Live attenuated vaccines elicit strong immune responses but are not suitable for people with a weakened immune system, said Dr Thanut Kuai-Charoenpanich, director of Chewamitra Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani.
Due to their lowered immunity, cancer patients, the elderly and those with congenital diseases are considered to be at high risk of developing severe symptoms when infected with Covid-19. They also take longer to rehabilitate than other Covid patients, Dr Thanut said.
These people need to get the Covid-19 vaccine to build immunity and reduce the risk of infection and severe symptoms, he added.
The American Cancer Society recommends that most patients with cancer or a history of cancer should get a Covid-19 vaccination but says factors to be considered include the type of vaccine, type of cancer, and treatment process.
Cancer patients who have completed treatment can be vaccinated immediately, Thanut said. However, cancer patients who are still being treated for the disease must consult their doctor to help determine the appropriate time for vaccination and also reduce the risk of side effects.
