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

Abstract

<i>Introduction:</i> 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. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> 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. <i>Results: </i>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<i> </i>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 <i>Conclusion:</i> 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.