There are many COVID-19 vaccines currently in use around the globe. The 4 vaccines that are approved for use in the United States are manufactured by Pfizer BioNTech (Comirnaty), Moderna, Spikevax, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, and Janssen. Other vaccines are either available worldwide or in the process of being added to the Emergency Use List by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Most variants of the virus can be prevented by the COVID-19 vaccines. Variants can still cause illness even if people are vaccinated. For example, the Omicron variant is more contagious than the Delta variant. It can cause breakthrough infections for those who have been vaccinated. In order to lower the chance of a breakthrough illness, booster doses are essential. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approved bivalent formulations for the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. These boosters are called updated boosters. They should offer better protection against COVID-19 due to the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. These boosters are now available for Americans over 12 years old.
The United States has many vaccine options. The distribution of vaccines varies from one country to the next. To find out more about vaccine distribution in your area, check with your local or national healthcare department.
Primary Vaccine Series For Most People
CoviD-19 vaccines for all ages are recommended. Booster doses for those who are eligible for them are recommended for people over 5 years of age.
- Pfizer-BioNTech. The USA approved the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine as a monovalent, mRNA vaccine. It is available in a 3-dose series for children 6 months to four years of age and a 2-dose series for those aged five and older.
- Moderna. This monovalent mRNA vaccination is approved for use by people aged 6 months and older. It is administered in two doses, one month apart.
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen. Janssen vaccine can be given in one dose to individuals aged 18 or older who are unable or unwilling to receive the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccines.
- Novavax. This vaccine is for adults 18 years and older. It is administered in two doses, spaced 3-8 weeks apart.
A Primary Vaccination Series For Those Who Are Moderate To Severely Immunocompromised
Patients who have undergone a bone marrow/stem cell or organ transplant are also considered moderately and severely immunocompromised. This group includes many people who have been diagnosed with cancer. This group may not be able to receive a strong immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, an additional dose or a booster dose is recommended.
This group should be given an additional dose of COVID vaccine. This is a primary series that includes 3 doses each of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines or 2 doses of the Janssen vaccine. A booster dose does not include an additional dose. It is part of the primary vaccination series. You should give the additional dose at least 28 days following the last dose.
Updated booster dose. Updated, bivalent boosters have been approved by the FDA for adults 12 years and older. These boosters are different than the monovalent boosters you may have received previously. Moderna and Pfizer BioNTech updated boosters can be used as a single booster dose for individuals aged 18 and over (for Moderna), and 12 and older (for Pfizer BioNTech). Two months after receiving the first series of vaccines, or one of the original boosters, an updated booster may be administered. Only people 12 years old and over can get the updated booster. They cannot get the original (monovalent mRNA booster). FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have approved the use of “mix and matching” booster doses. This means that you can receive either booster, if you are eligible, regardless of the vaccine series you received. Children aged 5-11 years old will continue to receive the original Pfizer BioNTech booster.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines are tiredness, muscle pain and headaches, pain at the injection site, and joint pain. These side effects are normal and usually disappear within three days. Sometimes side effects can be more severe with the second dose. However, they should disappear within three days. If side effects persist for more than three days, notify your doctor.
A rare side effect of 2-shot COVID-19 vaccinations is swelling in the armpit. This could be mistaken for breast cancer. This unusual side effect can cause you to delay your mammogram by at least one month following the COVID-19 vaccination.
Janssen vaccine side effects include headaches, nausea, fatigue, muscle pains, muscle aches, muscle aches, and pain at the injection site. These side effects lasted for a few days and were usually mild to moderate.
Safety For Patients With Cancer
Experts agree the COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people who have been diagnosed with cancer or are currently undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. There is almost 2x the chance of you dying from COVID-19 than if your cancer is not. Only people with a possible allergic reaction to one vaccine component should be given the vaccine. Based on your medical history, talk to your doctor about whether the COVID-19 vaccine might be recommended.
Although the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials didn’t specifically include patients with cancer, the vaccines included the flu vaccine and the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine. While some vaccines can be administered during treatment for cancer, others, such as the live virus vaccines should not be safe to administer during treatment. The COVID-19 vaccines, which are not live virus vaccines, can be administered during or after treatment for cancer.
You Have Been Fully Vaccinated
If you live in an area where COVID-19 is low, the CDC recommends you resume normal activities, even if you don’t wear a mask. If you live in an area with high levels of spread, wearing a mask indoors is recommended. Most people are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for at least 2 weeks after receiving their last dose. You may be required to wear masks and keep your physical distance in certain areas. These precautions may be required by federal, state, and local laws. Check with your local government to find out what precautions are still required.
