“Discordant” data emerge and they “certainly need to be improved because the need to vaccinate at least against influenza, herpes zoster and pneumococcus is fundamental for the quality of life of our patients and for the possibility of” preventing infections and “continuing to carry out the necessary treatment”. This was said by Saverio Cinieri, president of the Aiom Foundation, Italian Association of Medical Oncology, presenting the results of the survey and all the initiatives of the Foundation’s new national campaign ‘Vaccinations in cancer patients’, in the online meeting with journalists organized with the unconditional support from GSK.
“The issue of vaccination of cancer patients – continues Cinieri – is a very sensitive issue, because our patients, if vaccinated, experience protection from some diseases which are deleterious for a patient under treatment and which in any case would hinder the timing of therapies ”. The survey carried out by oncologists considered a sample of 506 people between 51 and 70 years old. The respondents were mostly women, mainly from Northern Italy. “The majority of patients know and know, mindful of the pandemic we have just gone through – explains Cinieri – the need to have the anti-Covid and anti-flu vaccination once a year, while instead, as regards the anti-herpes zoster and anti-pneumococcal, we have interesting data, but certainly lower (26-24%). For anti-diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough the value is 2%. Only 34% know the main vaccinations recommended for a cancer patient. This is a fact that pushes us to work.” In particular, the vaccinations carried out, because they are recommended, mostly include anti-Covid and anti-flu (58%). Anti-Herpes zoster and anti-pneumococcal are at 12 and 18% respectively, while 10% have not had any vaccinations. “If we exclude patients vaccinated against Covid, which was an obligation of our country – highlights the oncologist – basically for anti-flu”, on which we have been informed for years “there is good access of patients, but it is very poor for anti-pneumococcal and anti-herpes zoster”.
As for the reason for not being inoculated, only 13% reported fear of side effects. What stands out instead is the role of the doctor who ‘did not recommend it’ in 68% of the responses. “It’s a bad thing from our point of view – comments the president of the Aiom Foundation – I don’t know what it refers to, what type of doctor, probably the general practitioner, but all healthcare professionals should provide information on this topic” . Although 43% of oncologists talk about the importance of vaccination, patients report that 38% have not been informed about this opportunity.
“We need to act on this base of oncologists – continues Cinieri. I am amazed by this number because Aiom and the Aiom Foundation have been campaigning on this to doctors for years. There is probably a portion of patients who pass on this information because they have a negative attitude towards vaccination which is expressed in the presence of anti-vaxxers”. The survey indicates that the majority of patients received the vaccination before starting therapy or during therapy, but also after therapy was completed or at the time of diagnosis. “These are all scientifically correct moments – clarifies the specialist – Obviously it would be better to vaccinate all patients before starting the treatment, but from indications, it can also be done during the ongoing treatment”. It should also be considered that “the anti-Zoster was indicated in the possibility of administering it to cancer patients relatively recently: it is likely that some of the patients received the information during the therapy”.
Patients diagnosed with cancer know the risks of not being vaccinated in 61% of cases, but there are approximately 40% who do not know them, a condition which leads to “not being vaccinated – adds Cinieri – It is still too high a number”. And again, in case of doubts, the patient turns to the family doctor
and obviously with the oncologist, but “I’m afraid that, as sometimes happens, this will impact the choice on the oncologist.” The expert focuses on the figure of 7% who turn to patient associations, underlining the need to “work further” and “persist”, given that 18% turn to Google.
“70% of those interviewed – explains the oncologist – have no information on anti-Herpes zoster, known as shingles because it has very serious symptoms”. It must be considered that the onset of the pathology “delays the administration of cycles of oncological therapies. This is a disheartening fact – states Cinieri – but I hope that the new Aiom guidelines, which we will present at the next National Congress, will help to inform oncologists more”. But “the situation is worse regarding anti-pneumococcal vaccination: 70% of us have not talked about it” with patients. Given the results obtained on the anti-flu “we must work on information both on this and on the anti-Herpes zoster”. Interestingly, the information that the patient has from the brochure present in the doctor’s office is recognized by 44% of those interviewed, while TV, radio, websites have values around 20%. “We are happy with the fact that 56% of those interviewed, following the questionnaire, spoke about it with their doctor”. One more reason to “continue working and propose the survey again in a few months: the data needs to be improved – he concludes – because vaccinations, at least against influenza, Zoster and pneumococcus, are fundamental”.
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