COVID Vaccine
More research is needed to be able to give full guidance regarding Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and its use in cancer patients. Immunocompromised patients or those taking immunosuppressive medications, which may include individuals with cancer, were not included in the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine trial. According to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine product label, immunocompromised individuals, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response to the vaccine. It is important to speak to your healthcare team to discuss further medical advice receiving this vaccine.
Vaccine Rollout
Alberta
Individuals who are older than 75 years of age are currently being vaccinated. In the next phase, adults with “high-risk underlying health conditions” will be vaccinated. Visit this link for more information: https://www.alberta.ca/covid19-vaccine.aspx
British Columbia
Individuals who are older than 80 years of age are currently being vaccinated. In the next phase, adults who are “clinically extremely vulnerable” will be vaccinated. Visit this link for more information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/plan
Manitoba
Individuals who are older than 80 years of age, health care workers and community service workers are currently being vaccinated. The next phases will be determined based on age with older individuals being vaccinated first. Visit this link for more information: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine/eligibility-criteria.html
New Brunswick
Individuals who are older than 85 years of age will be vaccinated in phase one. In the second phase, individuals who are older than 70 years of age as well as “individuals with select complex medical conditions” will be vaccinated. Visit this link for more information: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/nb-vaccine.html#strat
Newfoundland and Labrador
Individuals who are older than 85 years of age, long term care residents and healthcare workers are currently being vaccinated. In the second phase, individuals who are between 16 and 59 years of age who are “clinically extremely vulnerable” and all individuals who are older than 60 years of age will be eligible. Visit this link for more information: https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/vaccine/files/NL-COVID19-Immunization-Plan-1.pdf
Nova Scotia
Individuals who are older than 80 years of age are currently being vaccinated. Nova Scotia is following a three phase plan largely based on age. Visit this link for more information: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/vaccine/
Ontario
Ontario is currently moving into phase two. This phase includes individuals who are older than 60 years of age as well as those with high-risk medical conditions will gain eligibility to be vaccinated. Access to the vaccines also depends on your public health unit. Visit this link for more information: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/ontarios-covid-19-vaccination-plan#phase-2
Prince Edward Island
Individuals who are older than 80 years of age are currently being vaccinated. In the next phase, individuals who are older than 70 years of age and all essential workers will be vaccinated. Visit this link for more information: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/covid-19-vaccines-and-immunization-phased-approach
Quebec
Depending on the public health unit, adults over the age of either 70 or 75 are currently being vaccinated. In a future phase, adults with underlying medical conditions will gain eligibility to be vaccinated. Visit this link for more information: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/progress-of-the-covid-19-vaccination/#c78949
Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories
are currently vaccinating all individuals over the age of 18.
Helpful Links:
Guidance on the prioritization of initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine(s)
Preliminary guidance on key populations for early COVID-19 immunization
Flu Shot
There may be an interaction between the influenza vaccine and medications to treat cancer.
- immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., some medications used for the treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or for transplant recipients)
- medications to treat cancer (e.g., carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, ifosfamide, vincristine)
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. It’s important to speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
