Publication

The importance of immunization in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship

Authored by:

Ward, E. M., Flowers, C.R., Gansler, T., et al.

Full Citation:

Ward, E. M., Flowers, C.R., Gansler, T., et al. 2017. The importance of immunization in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 67(5).

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Additional key concepts from this publication:

Immunosuppressive treatments can increase the risk and severity of a range of potentially vaccine-preventable infections.

Key Evidence: Among children and young adults being treated for certain cancers, immunosuppressive therapies can erase immunity previously acquired through vaccination, dramatically increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable infections. The authors assert that vaccination during and after immunosuppressive treatment is necessary to rebuild immunity and protect the most at-risk children.

Those with cancer and weakened immune systems benefit from the immunization of others through herd immunity.

Key Evidence: Children with cancer often rely on herd immunity as protection from vaccine-preventable diseases, so vaccinating family members and health workers is critical. Herd effects may be the only source of protection against diseases for which the vaccines are not recommended for immunosuppressed children, such as measles.