Vaccine Safety

What is a vaccine?

A vaccine (also called an immunization) is a treatment given as an injection, pill, or nasal spray that is used to protect you from a disease. They help your immune system make antibodies, which are what your immune system makes when you are exposed to a disease. Your body then learns how to fight the disease. If your body is exposed to this disease again, your body will know how to fight it. You are then less likely to get sick, or not as sick as you could have been. Vaccines can either be live (weak) or inactive (dead).

Are vaccines safe to get during cancer treatment?

Vaccines are safe medical treatments that have been studied. They often don’t have many side effects. But, you should ask your care team before you get any vaccines while being treated for cancer. It may depend on:

• The type of cancer you have.
• The type of treatment you are having.
• How your immune system is responding to your cancer and treatment.

Often, your provider will suggest you get an Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccine each year. You may be told you need other vaccines too depending on your age. Close family members and caregivers should get their scheduled vaccines to protect themselves and you from getting sick. Some vaccines such as flu vaccines that are nasal sprays and vaccines for Varicella (chickenpox) have live forms of viruses in them. Vaccines with live forms of viruses should be avoided while you are getting cancer treatment unless your provider tells you they are safe for you. Ask if it is safe for those around you to get live virus vaccines as well.

Are there vaccines that prevent cancer?

Some viruses can cause cancer. The viruses that can cause cancer are human papilloma virus (HPV), and Hepatitis B and C viruses. Getting vaccines that protect against these viruses can lower your risk of getting certain cancers.

What are cancer vaccines?

Cancer vaccines are different from vaccines you may get to protect you from illnesses and diseases. Cancer vaccines help your immune system notice tumor cells as foreign invaders so that they may be killed. Some types of cancer vaccines are Sipuleucel-T (Provenge®), talimogene laherparepvec, and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG).

Talk to your provider before getting any type of vaccine. They will be able to tell you when the right time is to get certain vaccines and if there are some vaccines you should avoid.