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IMMUNOTHERAPY AND COVID VACCINATION


Anna69

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Hi, 

I have been diagnosed with a non small cell, inoperable, Stage 3 lung cancer back in March this year.  They gave me a very aggressive treatment and a few months later I was declared NED.  However, since June I have been having an immunotherapy as a preventative measure from cancer returning. Many side effects with it but I am half way through. 

Now, the question is Covid vaccination.  My oncologist says YES to it but I am full of ambivalence.  It would be a great relief to be protected but immunotherapy lowers immunity system.  A mere flu jab made me very ill back in September. 

Do you have any reports from your doctors about the vaccination while under immunotherapy??

Kind regards,

Anna        

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I'd go with my oncologist's recommendation. I know mine are eager to have it available for patients. I'm also on both chemo and immunotherapy. We won't have it available here for a while, but I plan to get mine at the earliest possible moment. I'd sooner have side effects from the vaccine than get COVID. I think lowered immunity poses much more risk of contracting the virus than anything severe from the vaccine.

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Seriously. Give me your spot if you are conflicted. I will take the "jab" tomorrow if I could. Mumps, Measles, Polio, Whopping cough....you name it and vaccines have eradicated (not to mention small pox).

Please. Take it when its offered and dont look back.

Peace

Tom

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Anna,

I think you'd find the general consensus here is that we understand that we are in the category of folks with co-morbidities and therefore more vulnerable to a bad outcome from the virus.  In our cases (mine included) the vaccine is a Godsend and I don't believe you'll find many opposing the vaccination.  I'll always advice you to go with your doctor's counsel, but am letting you know that many here would recommend getting the protection.

Lou

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I won't hesitate for a second to get the vaccine if not for anything else it is to protect people around me. Also I don't know of immunotherapy lowers the immune system. It is supposed to do the opposite. I am sure oncologists and cancer centers will have adequate guidance per patient specific situation.

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I just checked NJ's vaccine webpage and found that those with underlying medical conditions and/or who are immunocompromised (which I still am, as I'm still on chemo and have had low white cell count in the past) will be included in NJ's phase 1 (I believe right after healthcare workers). 

They are going to have a scheduling page up soon, apparently, and I sent my oncologist a note just to confirm he approves of it and to ask about anything I should watch out for, in terms of side effects.

Personally, I cannot WAIT to be able to pick out a head of lettuce in person!

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Hi, 

I am grateful for your personal opinions but I was asking for  a PROFESSIONAL OPINION OF YOUR DOCTORS.

It would be very important to know how much research has been done into the vaccine side effects on people with compromised immunity. 

I would still be extremely grateful if you could share with us what the specialists said about the subject. 

A flu jab made me extremely ill hence my trepidation. 

Many thanks.  

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  • 3 weeks later...

Anna69 - just joined today but hope this helps - I am having immunotherapy (keytruda) - I asked my oncologist about the vaccine just a couple of weeks ago at my last treatment session - he was quite adamant about it having discussed it at length with other professionals, they all agreed the vaccine can only be of help and should have no effect on the immunotherapy treatment, so I am just waiting to be told when it is my turn to get it and there I'll be! 

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On 12/12/2020 at 12:26 PM, Anna69 said:

Hi, 

I am grateful for your personal opinions but I was asking for  a PROFESSIONAL OPINION OF YOUR DOCTORS.

It would be very important to know how much research has been done into the vaccine side effects on people with compromised immunity. 

I would still be extremely grateful if you could share with us what the specialists said about the subject. 

A flu jab made me extremely ill hence my trepidation. 

Many thanks.  

Seriously? If you want a PROFESSIONAL opinion ask your doctor. Sorry girlfriend, but this post took me wrong.

Peace

Tom

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