Chemo reduces efficacy of Pfizer vaccine in certain patients
The B-VOICE study of the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA) in collaboration with Sciensano and Kom op tegen Kanker among 200 cancer patients shows that most patients produce antibodies after the first injection, but that some cancer treatments cause patients to produce fewer antibodies after their second shot with the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine. Chemotherapy in particular makes the vaccine less effective. Targeted, immune and hormone therapy do not seem to influence the effect of the vaccination.
The B-VOICE study of the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA) in collaboration with Sciensano and Kom op tegen Kanker analysed the functioning of the immune system and the safety of the COVID vaccination in 200 cancer patients.
The first results were recently announced: antibodies are produced in most patients after the first injection, but the antibody count does not increase in all groups of patients after the second injection with the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine. Chemotherapy in particular makes the vaccine less effective. Targeted, immune and hormone therapy do not seem to influence the effect of the vaccination.
The side effects of the Pfizer vaccine were also investigated. These are no different for cancer patients than for the rest of the population. Those affected by cancer also have no more or fewer side effects than others.
It may be advisable to provide a third injection for patients who produce fewer antibodies. A follow-up study will determine whether this is useful. The efficacy of the vaccines AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson in cancer patients is also being investigated.
If you are currently in treatment, please be careful and vigilant and ask all those close to you to do the same.