Interim-Guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccination in Hematological Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Hematologic malignancies such as Acute Leukemias, Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs), Lymphomas and Multiple Myeloma (MM) can be treated with chemotherapy, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies with either a curative intent or to prolong survival. The hematologic malignancy itself or the anti-cancer therapies can result in long-term immunodeficiency; COVID-19 infection in this population is associated with a significantly higher risk of hospitalization and death [1]. Given lack of available data on COVID-19 vaccination from Pakistan, this guidance is based on the review of safety and efficacy of FDA and CDC approved vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19 disease and recommendations of European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant (EBMT), American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapies (ASTCT) and British Society of Hematology (BSH) for the use of COVID vaccination in HSCT recipients and those with hematological malignancies. The American Society of Hematology (ASH), EBMT, ASTCT and BSH recommends the desired access to vaccines for this highly susceptible group along with care takers, family members, and domestic& everyday contacts when vaccine supply is available. Keywords: COVID-19 vaccination, Hematological malignancies, Hematopoietic stem cell transplant, mRNA vaccine, Acute leukemia, Chemotherapy.