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16
Mar 2021
Cancer patients ‘lack same protection’ following first vaccination
A study undertaken by a research team at the Francis Crick Institute and King’s College London has suggested that cancer patients are far less protected against Covid-19 than other people after one dose of the Pfizer jab, and with a 12-week wait for the second dose, this could leave them vulnerable.
Cancer Research UK have said the study has not yet been reviewed by other scientists and add that patients undergoing cancer treatment should continue to follow the advice of their doctors.
The government said it’s focus was on “saving lives” and the antibody response “was only part of the protection provided by the vaccine.”
It added “The independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which advises government on vaccine use and prioritisation, regularly reviews data and evidence on vaccine efficacy and effectiveness.”
During the first phase of the UK rollout, around 1.2 million people at very high risk of being seriously ill with Covid-19 were prioritised for a first vaccine dose, including people with specific cancers. The government then extended the gap between first and second vaccinations from three to 12 weeks to provide some protection to more people as soon as possible.
Senior study author Dr Sheeba Irshad from King’s College London, said the findings were “really worrying” and called for an urgent review of the timing of doses for people in clinically extremely vulnerable groups.
She added “Until then, it is important that cancer patients continue to observe all public health measures in place such as social distancing and shielding when attending hospitals, even after vaccination.”
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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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