Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19 is an infectious illness caused by a type of coronavirus. The virus can affect your breathing or respiratory system. Symptoms can vary, some people have mild symptoms others have severe symptoms.
The virus spreads when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings. This releases tiny droplets into the air. These droplets can reach anyone nearby, and they can get the virus.
Am I at more risk of becoming unwell with COVID-19 because I have cancer?
Some people with cancer are at a higher risk of complications. This is because cancer and its treatment can weaken your 
. This means you are less able to fight infections. The immune system protects your body against infections caused by viruses like coronavirus.
Some types of cancer can also lower your ability to fight infection. This is usually cancer that affects your immune system, such as or .
The information on this page is for adults with cancer. Please visit the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) website for coronavirus information for children with cancer.
Symptoms of COVID-19
You can read more about the symptoms of coronavirus infection on the NHS website.
If you are having cancer treatment or have had it, or have a cancer that affects your immune system, reach out for support if you:
- have symptoms of coronavirus
- feel unwell
You can contact:
- your chemotherapy helpline
- the Acute Oncology Service at your hospital
Your healthcare team will assess you over the phone and might ask you to stay at home.
Call 999 immediately if you are feeling very ill.
If you have symptoms but are not having cancer treatment, you can look at the NHS coronavirus information or call NHS 111.
How do I protect myself from coronavirus if I have cancer?
If you have a weakened immune system, you are at higher risk of getting unwell with an infection. You should protect yourself from coronavirus in the same way as you would against other infections. Follow the advice from your healthcare team for your situation.
You can read more general information about protecting yourself against coronavirus. Follow the link to your part of the UK at the bottom of this page.
Treatment for COVID-19
People most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 can have treatment with antiviral and antibody drugs. This includes people with a weakened immune system, such as those:
- having certain cancer treatments
- with a blood cancer
The drugs include:
- molnupiravir (Lagevrio)
- nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid)
- remdesivir (Veklury)
- sotrovimab (Xevudy) -
a monoclonal antibody drug
How to get a COVID-19 treatment?
Follow the links lower down on this page to your part of the country for more information on how to get a COVID-19 treatment.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine and cancer
A vaccine is a type of medicine. It trains the body's to fight a disease it has not come into contact with before. For infectious illnesses, vaccines try to prevent people from becoming ill with a disease.
Specialists say that it is important for people with cancer to have the vaccine, and it is safe.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the below vaccines for use if you haven’t had one before. For all of these vaccines you have 2 doses 8 weeks apart. The type of vaccine you have depends on a number of factors including availability.
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
- Novavax
If you're about to start treatment that will cause a weakened immune system
Some people might have the second dose of their first course of the vaccine sooner than 8 weeks apart. This can be if you're about to start treatment which may cause a weakened immune system. Your immune system might still be able to create if you have the second dose sooner. So, you might have the second dose of:
- Pfizer-BioNTech 3 weeks later
- Moderna 4 weeks later
- Novavax 3 weeks later
If you have severe allergies
If you can't have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines due to allergies, you might be able to have the Novavax or Sanofi vaccines.
Talk to your GP or healthcare team if you have questions about your situation.
The spring 2023 booster programme
A spring 2023 booster programme started in April.
The vaccines used in the booster programme include:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
- Sanofi
These vaccines have been updated and target different strains or variants of coronavirus.
The Sanofi vaccine contains an adjuvant. This is a chemical that helps to improve the immune response to the virus.
Which vaccine you'll get will depend on your circumstances and availability.
Who can have the spring 2023 booster jab?
The spring booster COVID-19 jab is available to people:
- 75 years and older
- living in care homes for older people
- 5 years and over with a weakened immune system (including people with cancer)
How do I book an appointment for the spring 2023 booster?
To book an appointment for the spring 2023 booster, follow the link to your part of the UK at the bottom of this page.
If you haven't had your COVID-19 jabs
If you haven't yet had your COVID-19 jabs, you should have them as soon as possible. This includes:
- the first 2 doses (primary course)
- a third dose for people with a weakened immune system
If you are eligible and you have missed an earlier booster, you should have the spring booster. You don't need another dose during the summer.
Vaccine side effects
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
A very small number of people have had anaphylaxis when receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have a history of an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine, you should not have it. You may have it if an expert says it is safe.
If you have any other allergies, such as a food allergy, including a previous anaphylaxis, you can have the vaccine.
Swollen lymph nodes
A side effect of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines is lymph node swelling. You might have swollen lymph nodes in the armpit of the arm you had the vaccine in. A review of research shows that swelling can last around 5 weeks in some people. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about swollen lymph nodes.
Other side effects
People are often worried about the side effects of vaccines. Your healthcare team or GP will be able to give you advice about your situation. It is best to do this before going for the vaccine.
The person giving you the vaccine will also give you advice. They will talk to you about the general side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines.
How well do the vaccines work for people with cancer?
Several studies have now published results on how well the vaccines work for people with cancer. In general, these studies show that if you have a weakened immune system, you might have less protection against the virus.
People with blood cancer, in particular, have less protection. This is when compared to people with solid cancers.
Protection against the virus increases with each dose for people with blood cancer. A recent study showed that after 4 doses of the jab, most people with a blood cancer had antibodies to help them fight COVID-19.
You can read more on the Blood Cancer UK website on how well the vaccines work for people with a blood cancer.
COVID-19 vaccine and cancer treatment
Specialists say that everyone having systemic anti cancer therapy (SACT) should be considered for the vaccine. Systemic anti cancer therapy includes treatments such as chemotherapy. It can cause a weakened immune system.
Your cancer treatment can also go ahead if you've had the vaccine. There is no need for your treatment to be delayed because of it.
When you can have the vaccine will depend on your type of treatment and where you are in your treatment plan.
Talk to your doctor or specialist nurse for specific advice for your circumstances.
More information
The links below have more information on coronavirus in your part of the UK.
Scotland
NHS inform has further information about the coronavirus for people living in Scotland.
The Scottish Government website has the latest guidance for people living in Scotland.
Wales
Public Health Wales has information and guidance for people living in Wales. Information is also available in Welsh.
The Welsh government website also has the latest guidance for people living in Wales.
Northern Ireland
The Public Health Agency has information for people living in Northern Ireland.
The government in Northern Ireland has the latest guidance on its website for people living in Northern Ireland.
England
The NHS website has all the latest information about the coronavirus and how to protect yourself.
The government website has the latest guidance for people living in England.
