Weakened immune system? Get the COVID-19 vaccine

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s infectious disease experts encouraged people with weakened immune systems such as cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, to get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19.

In a statement, the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) cleared COVID-19 immunization for people with HIV, patients with autoimmune diseases, organ transplant recipients, patients on chronic systemic steroids and persons with cancer and who are undergoing or will undergo chemotherapy.

Immunocompromised individuals may receive a COVID-19 vaccine if they do not have a severe or immediate allergic reaction to any of the ingredients of the vaccine, experts said.

These people may get inoculated subject to their doctor’s advice.

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy should get “highest priority” for vaccination, said the medical group that serves as the country’s authority in infectious diseases.

“The current data on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and safety in the immunocompromised host (ICH) is sparse. But the ICH is at risk for severe COVID-19 infection and therefore vaccination is encouraged,” the PSMID said.

But “if the ICH’s level of disease activity is unknown, vaccination may be delayed and rescheduled at a time where disease activity has been assessed as stable,” they added.

The PSMID advised immunocompromised people to continue to adhere to minimum health mesures after vaccination, and also advised their caregivers and close contacts to be immunized when they are part of the priority group for vaccination.

The PSMID statement, prepared by a 12-member committee on adult immunization, came with medical guidance for each sub-group explaining why they can get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Cancer patients who are undergoing or will undergo chemotherapy may be vaccinated against COVID-19 “at any time before and/or during chemotherapy sessions, if they have no contraindications to the vaccine,” the PSMID said.

The PSMID said patients with active cancer undergoing chemotherapy “should be considered highest priority to receive the currently available vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization.”

Their caregivers and close contacts should also be immunized when possible.