Short-term safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

This article reports on the safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in 137 patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The most common side-effects after the first dose were local; systemic side-effects included fatigue (4%), headache (2%), muscle pain (2%), and chills (1%).

SPS commentary:

The incidence of local and systemic effects was higher after the second dose, as has been previously reported. For example, the most common systemic side-effects were muscle pain (34%), fatigue (34%), headache (16%), fever (10%), chills (10%), gastrointestinal complications (10%), and flu-like symptoms (2%). None of the reported side-effects required admission to hospital or any other special intervention. No new immune-related side-effects or exacerbation of existing immune-related side-effects were observed. The authors say their data provide a reassuring safety signal regarding the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and support current guidelines and call for vaccination of patients being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, especially during pandemic surges.

The Lancet Oncology