Eight months into the Covid vaccination drive in India, many cancer patients are still apprehensive of taking the shot.

Doctors are receiving frequent calls from follow-up patients who want to know whether it is advisable for them to be inoculated against Covid.

The “reluctance” stems from a fear that the vaccine could lead to side effects because of their low immunity, said an oncologist who has been receiving calls almost every day.

“There is a notion among cancer patients that since their immune system is compromised because of the disease, they could be susceptible to side effects. But our advice is that follow-up patients should be vaccinated immediately. Those who are undergoing treatment like radiotherapy and chemotherapy and have undergone major oncosurgery must consult their treating oncologist to decide on the appropriate time of vaccination,” said surgical oncologist Gautam Mukhopadhyay.

He said that those with a history of major allergies must consult their physician before vaccination.

The Bengal Oncology Foundation has run an online awareness campaign, in which Mukhopadhyay is seen urging people with cancer to take the shot.

In the video, in English and Bengali, posted on social media, Mukhopadhyay says both doses of a Covid vaccine are necessary to ensure protection against the disease.

“Remember for all cancer patients and their families, protection from Covid is extremely important and vaccination is the best option for this. Whichever vaccine is available, whether it is Covaxin or Covishield, both are very effective and that is why they have been approved by the government of India. So I would recommend that you look into this very carefully and just see that all members of your family are adequately protected,” Mukhopadhyay, also the secretary of the Bengal Oncology Foundation, says in the English video.

“Do not worry about the side effects because these do not have much side effects and millions of people have taken the vaccine. It creates a lot of confidence among the people and it is not that you will be helping yourself only. You will be helping the community by being immunised against Covid.”

He also says that one will not be adequately protected against the disease without both doses of a Covid vaccine.

While talking to The Telegraph, Mukhopadhyay urged the need to spread awareness on Covid vaccination because he said there was a degree of apprehension among cancer patients.

“We receive calls from follow-up patients almost every day. They ask whether they should take the vaccine. So we decided to launch this awareness initiative,” he said.

The Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute in Thakurpukur, which has been administering Covid vaccines since January, has been receiving such calls, too.

“Not all patients ask, but some do. Their families call up to ask whether they should take the vaccine. Their fear disappears once they get the doctor's approval,” said Arnab Gupta, the director of the institute.

“There is a concern that the vaccine might trigger some complications. It is natural for us to have such concerns, though we know vaccines are necessary. A doctor’s nod goes a long way in allaying the fears,” said Manik Chandra Bera, a 59-year-old cancer survivor.
Bera, who had colon cancer in 2007, has taken the Covid shot.