Vaccination Against Sars-Cov-2 Infection In Patients With Solid Tumors: Experience From Institute For Oncology And Radiology Of Serbia (Iors)

Currently over 160 million people worldwide had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Cancer patients are more sensitive to infections. Patients with active cancer treatment should be considered for priority access to COVID-19 vaccination. We evaluated between February and May 2021. 114 patients with solid tumours who were actively been treated at the IORS and have received vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 virus. Demographic data, diagnosis, current therapy and co-morbidities were collected from patients’ records. Data about vaccination: first and second dose, type of the vaccine and side effects were collected by questionnaire approved by the Ethics Committee. 114 patients received the vaccine, 89 (78%) female, 25 (22%) male. Patients’ mean age was 61.3 ± 13.5 years, youngest was 37.8, the oldest was 83.9 years old. 105 of them received both doses of the vaccine. 36 pts (31.6%) had one and 30 (26.3%) had 2 or more co-morbidities requiring active therapy. 58 patients (50.9%) had early disease, 56 (49.1%) had metastatic disease. 42 patients (36.8%) was receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. Out of 114 vaccinated patients, 7 of them (6.1%) had previously COVID-19 infection. One patient had COVID-19 infection 5 days after receiving second dose of vaccine. 81 patients (71.1%) received vaccine made by Sinopharm company, followed by Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine (14 patients, 12.3%), Sputnik V (10 patients, 8.8%) and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine (9 patients, 7.9%). 85 of them (74.6%) didn’t have any side effects after receiving the vaccine. 13 patients (11.4%) had 2 or more symptoms. The most common side effect was pain at the injection site of the vaccine and it was present in 12 patients (10.5%). 10 patients (8.8%) reported chills and shivering. Fever was present in 9 patients (7.9%). Only two patients had allergic-like reactions that was present with skin rush. None of the patients had severe allergic reactions. In our study 114 patients with solid tumours and active oncology treatment had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 virus without severe side effects. Our study support current guidelines which promote vaccination in oncology patients as priority.