Cancer patients and the COVID-19 vaccine

Information and FAQ for patients and caregivers

September 15, 2022

Vaccines are safe and they can protect you from serious illnesses like COVID-19. People who have or have recently had cancer may have a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. The vaccine is an important part of protecting people with cancer.

If you have questions about whether the vaccine is right for you, talk to:
• Your cancer care team if you are getting cancer treatment now
• Your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) if you have already finished your cancer treatment.

Click here to download the complete document from Cancer Care Ontario about the COVID vaccine for cancer patients

Bivalent COVID vaccine booster information

Bivalent COVID vaccine booster doses that target the original COVID-19 virus and the most recently circulating COVID-19 variants are available to vulnerable populations immediately, and all Ontarians aged 18+ starting September 26, 2022.

Since the bivalent vaccine is being offered as a booster dose, those who receive it must have already completed a primary series. Booster doses will be offered at a recommended interval of six months, or a minimum interval of three months, since the last dose received. To book an appointment at a three-month interval, please call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

Vulnerable populations are:

individuals aged 70 and over;
residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and individuals living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services;
First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over;
moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and over;
pregnant individuals aged 18 and over; and
health care workers aged 18 and over.

Cancer patients in the southeast region are able to self-identify that they meet criteria as being immunocompromised and do not require a letter, referral, or booking coordinated by their healthcare team to be able to access the bivalent vaccine booster.

Please click here for more information about the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster.

Are you providing COVID vaccines at the Cancer Centre?
The Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario is no longer directly providing COVID vaccinations to patients on site at KHSC. There are many options for patients to book their vaccinations at community clinics.

Click here for options to book at COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

I have more questions about vaccines, who should I call?
If you have questions that weren’t addressed here, please contact a member of your care team. Our teams are working very hard to ensure our patients have as much information as possible. We will do our best to help, but it is important to remember that at this point we may not be able to answer all of your questions. We understand that this may be upsetting or frustrating, however, abusive language or behaviours directed at any of our staff members will not be tolerated.