Researchers in Ichilov and Bnei Zion: Vaccination did not lead to overactivity of the immune system • Researchers: "The vaccine is safe, and even recommended"
Corona vaccines are also safe and recommended for cancer patients receiving short-term immunotherapy, according to a study conducted at the Ichilov and Bnei Zion hospitals, and published in the important scientific journal Lancet.
Immunotherapeutic treatments, such as the drugs Kitroda and Opedivo, are modern treatments aimed at the patient's immune system.
"When the corona vaccines came out, there was concern about what will happen when they are given to cancer patients who receive training treatment," explains Prof. Ido Wolf, director of the oncology department at Ichilov and the study's leader. "Pneumonia or liver infections that can be life-threatening."
Vaccination operation // Archive photo: Moshe Ben Simhon and Newsenders
The authors of the study followed 134 cancer patients treated at Ichilov and Bnei Zion hospitals, and 134 non-patients, with a similar age and sex distribution, who were vaccinated at Ichilov. Transient as weakness and muscle aches, but without the need for hospitalization.
"At the beginning of the vaccination campaign, we advised those receiving immunotherapy to consider getting vaccinated, but to do so after consulting the attending physician," adds Prof. Wolf. "Now the results of the study will affect guidelines around the world. "Some are up to 40% mortality - the vaccine is even recommended. Where there is now a raging epidemic, the vaccine should be given to cancer patients receiving immunotherapy."
The study included partners Dr. Berliz Weissengrin of Ichilov, Dr. Abed Agbaria, director of the Bnei Zion Oncology Institute, and Dr. Hagit Padova, VP of Patient Safety at Ichilov.