COVID VACCINE & IMMUNOTHERAPY

Lucky you. I am undergoing immunotherapy and I’d take in a heartbeat.

I have asked and received the same answer. There is really no data either way. Although my doctor did imply with they would likely have a better grasp on risks by the time it came to me.

I will say that steroids are known to enhance the side effects of vaccines. It doesn’t mean that you are forbidden but the likely hood of side effects are enhanced. I don’t know if you taken them are not but I had to start and have been trying to slowly reduce so that I was steroid free by the time it matters.

Here is the response from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer: “SITC supports SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy”. More info at their website https://www.sitcancer.org/aboutsitc/press-releases/2020/sitc-statement-sars-cov-2-vaccination-cancer-immunotherapy

Cindy

Stopped Pembro last June, had surgery in August 2020 and have been NED for three months. My oncology team recommends getting the vaccine.

i took my first hit of Moderna yesterday. i have just finished 24x Opvido.  so 18 hours later, no side effects.

my big question for my docs was immo and covid and whether one exacerbated the other.  The  answer was…..confusing or rather , inconclusive .  Some said it made no difference and others said immo makes a covid episode worse (cytokine storm).

as to the vaccine, first my onc suggested i get it. i have read nothing about any side effects of Moderna much less Moderna in conjunction with Opvido.

and as i said, 18  hours later, no side effects.

BTW because i was in treatment i was easily afforded access to vaccination thru my clinic

I have stage IIIC Malignant melanoma and after surgeries, now in my 6th cycle with Keytruda. Both my surgical and oncological doctors have advised me to be innoculated for COVID19. Enthusiastically awaiting my chance to do so.

 

update;  I have developed persistent hip pain 4 weeks after last Opdivo infusion.  I never had this problem once in 64 years, certainly not while taking Opvido for 1 year.  I asked Onc if there was a Opdivo ‘hangover’ or withdrawal syndrome

 

still waiting for that answer.

 

 

For what it’s worth – http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2021/01/new-year-new-career-vaccines.html

Stay safe.  Wear a mask.  Get a vaccine if your doc approves and you can!!!  celeste

Here is the response from my oncologist about COVID-19 vax: “Nobody know the right answer in terms of timing of the vaccine with IO therapy. We are telling people to get it two weeks before IO therapy due to any potential inflammatory response”

my onc said it would happen

 

2nd Moderna shot. lots of local pain at injection site, upper body soreness, some fatigue. 24 hours later.

 

 

i wonder why 2nd shot would be so much worse than the 1st.  any ideas?

Argh, cancer clinic sent an email yesterday that they had not idea when they would be given vaccines and that we should try and be vaccinated by any means necessary. I’m picturing myself in a Spy vs. Spy panel.

Steve,

I finished my immunotherapy of Optivo in January 2020.   I got my COVID-19 vaccine shots on January 22 and February 12, 2021.  No real side effects or adverse reactions to the vaccines.   Glad I was able to get them.   My oncology team encouraged me to get vaccinated, I am high risk as I have a history of respitory illness and susceptibility to pnenomia.

Inmunotherapy since September, I took the 1st dose of Sinovac Vaccine (China Lab), no problems at all. My Onc recommend Sinovac cause he said “It was developed according to traditional way”. I can choose between Pfizer and Sinovac, and chose the Chinesse. I know many Americans cannot choise Chinese Vaccine ’cause political issues, but I hope who has create the problem help us to finish it. https://forum.melanoma.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-monalisa/icons/wpml_good.gif

I’m late to the party, but I am currently on the ipi/nivo combo and my oncologist encouraged me to get the vaccine. I got my first hit of Moderna on 3/3/2021 and I had no side effects, only a sore arm. Funny enough, others that I know got their same vaccine the same day, the other 4 all had fatigue, nausea, and fever/chills. Not sure if it’s the immuno or I just got lucky, but I felt fine. Hoping my second shot is as easy as the first!

This is so interesting. I’m on ipi/nivo combo and my oncologist did not recommend getting a vaccine since they do not know effects. I’m in Canada, maybe that matters. It’s very frustrating since I feel more at risk while on treatment and prednisone.

 

Quick update – about 8 days after my shot of Moderna I developed what they refer to as “COVID arm”. I saw my oncologist Friday and he said it was likely due to my revved-up immune system, as it seems only 0.8% of people get this. It’s getting better now, but my arm got pretty swollen and red/feverish. He also mentioned there were no studies on COVID vaccines + immunotherapy so no telling for sure if that is actually the case, but thought I would share. Scheduled to get my second shot on 3/31, I will post if there is anything significant. Take care and stay safe, everyone!

Had the J&J vaccine.  No side effects for me.  Hope it’s effective.

Thank you all for your comments.  These really do help me.  I had very good response to the Yervoy/Opdivo treatments and am now 8 months into the monthly double dose of Opdivo.  CatScans show I’m “basically” cancer free with very little side effects.  Right now I am more afraid of the Opdivo / vaccine combo than I am of the virus.  I checked out the links you posted where they recommend getting the vacine but they all have to say “but it’s too soon to know for sure”.   I really respect those of you who have had the vaccine and kept us posted.  Thank you again.  I hope to make up my mind soon.  I see my onc tomorrow.

Had four combo doses and about a year of single dose. Had a first dose Pfizer Sunday with a sore arm and no other side effects. Not quite as bad as my flu shot this year. Vaccines are still hard to get here and I “mostly” had permission. I lucked into the appointment and had infusion two days later. Had the infusion and no reaction. Still on 2.5 mg corticosteroid. Finally got permission to end it!!!

I had my second Pfizer shot early Sunday. I definitely had more of a reaction this time. Fever/chills in the middle of the night which turned into a bad dream sequence. I took 500mg of Tylenol the next morning which helped. I was off all day, vague headache/tired/felt hot or cold. I kept taking Tylenol during the day, mostly stayed in bed. Had a much better night of sleep, feel normal this morning. Still taking 1mg steroid which I will end tomorrow. My house looks terrible! Nine year old will start a little in person school next week and I and so grateful to be vaccinated so he will be able to go.