Rye Brook, N.Y., January 4, 2022 (updated March 1, 2022) – Given the rapid rise in COVID-19 infections caused by the Omicron variant, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has developed this page to provide blood cancer patients and survivors with the latest information about this rapidly emerging situation.
Get vaccinated, act unvaccinated
LLS continues to encourage all blood cancer patients and survivors to get vaccinated for COVID-19 according to CDC recommendations. For people with blood cancer and blood cancer survivors, the current recommendation is to get four mRNA vaccine doses in total—three in a primary series plus a booster dose three months later. (Those who began their vaccination series with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are encouraged to use the mRNA vaccines for one additional dose 28 days later and one booster dose two months after that).
- Blood cancer patients and survivors should receive 3 shots of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine in their primary vaccine series. This is critically important, because the third dose will greatly increase the likelihood of having a high enough antibody level to reduce the chance of a severe infection with the Omicron variant.
- If the Moderna vaccine is requested as a third shot, blood cancer patients should be sure to get the full dose (0.5-milliliter dose containing 100 micrograms). The half dose (0.25-milliliter containing 50-microgram) is for booster shots only, which is the fourth shot for blood cancer patients and survivors. There is only one dose size for the Pfizer vaccine.
Since research from LLS and other organizations has shown that some blood cancer patients will fail to make COVID-19 anti-spike antibodies even after receiving all recommended vaccines, they should take additional steps to avoid COVID-19 infection. Avoid large crowds, mask up, maintain social distancing and make sure all people in the household are fully vaccinated (including the third or booster vaccination).
What to do if you get COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with a known infection
Blood cancer patients and survivors are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and death. Do not delay getting care if you test positive for COVID-19, whether or not you have symptoms, or if you come in close contact with someone who is infected.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Most COVID-19 treatments are in short supply. The federal government is purchasing these treatments directly from the manufacturers and allocating them to states based on population size. State and local health departments are responsible for allocating the treatments locally.
COVID-19 treatments work best if started early:
Monoclonal antibody therapies are FDA authorized for COVID-19. They are made in a laboratory and are designed to give the body an immediate infusion of “ready-made” antibodies than can immediately work against infection. COVID-19 antibodies work by binding to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus and blocking its ability to attach to and enter human cells. There is also one monoclonal antibody, called Evusheld, authorized for the prevention of COVID-19 infection.
Oral antiviral medications are FDA authorized for COVID-19. These medications work by interfering with the ability of the COVID-19 virus to replicate inside the body. This lowers the “viral load,” which is the amount of virus doctors find in your body. This can help reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and shorten the length of the illness.
For more information, check out our COVID-19 Resource Page