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The Provincial Health Officer identified that people who are recognized as CEV, will be offered their second dose sooner than 16 weeks. Public health is reaching out to those people to contact them and invite them for their second dose. 

If you have not yet done so, please sign up on the Get Vaccinated website – www.gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated and you will be contacted about timing for your second dose by public health within a few days. If you have questions or aren't sure if you are registered, phone the provincial vaccine call centre at: 1-833-838-2323.

The vaccine rollout plan in B.C. was to ensure that all eligible people have access to a first dose of vaccine as soon as possible. Now that public health has identified B.C. is at this point and has adequate supply of vaccine, they are in a better place to work towards getting those at most risk of severe disease from COVID-19 their second dose. 

Information about second dosing for all British Columbians, including CEV populations can be found on the Government of B.C. website. 

Here you will find information about invitations for your second dose, availability and choice, and information on the AstraZenica/COVISHIELD vaccines. 

Yes. All of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Canada are safe for their recommended use. 

Doctors and researchers have looked at the evidence. They agree that unless you have a very serious allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients, you should strongly consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine.  People with cancer have a higher chance of severe symptoms if they get COVID-19. 

Please review special vaccine considerations and FAQs for people with cancer. 

If you have: 

Please visit the BC Center for Disease Control COVID-19 Vaccine webpage for more information.

People with cancer weren’t included in the initial clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccines but there is now some experience that shows that COVID-19 vaccines are very safe. Researchers still do not know exactly how much protection they will give people with cancer compared to those who do not have cancer.  

However, the way the vaccines work means that there is a strong chance that your immune system will learn to protect you, to some degree, from COVID-19. 

Some medications and treatments for cancer affect how well your immune system responds to the COVID-19 vaccine. Timing your vaccine around your treatment may help the vaccine work best. 

Systemic Therapy   

Radiation therapy  

Stem cell, bone marrow transplant or CAR-T therapy  

Corticosteroids or oral treatments  

• If you are taking systemic corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, try to book your vaccine 28 days after your last dose of corticosteroids.
  
• If there are days in the week or month when you are not on treatment (intravenous or oral treatment, including steroids), try to book your vaccine appointment on your days “off” treatment.

B-cell depleting therapies

If you are still not sure when to get your vaccine, please contact the care team who is managing your condition.

If you don’t see your medication listed, or if you take medications for another condition and you aren’t sure if you need to consider timing, you can also look at the COVID-19 vaccine planning considerations on the BCCDC website for that condition (if available). 

People who received an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for their first dose can get either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines for their second dose.

People who received AstraZeneca for their first dose can either get AstraZeneca for their second dose or an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).

The vaccines are effectively interchangeable and are safe to mix.

Learn more about getting your second dose.

After you get your vaccine, you will need to stay at the vaccine location for 15 minutes. This is to make sure you are feeling well after your vaccine. 

B.C. announced its plan to vaccinate those who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 if they were to get the virus on March 23, 2021. This group, which has been called those who are “clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV),” has been identified through a thorough review of the scientific evidence from around the world combined with expert clinical opinion from here in B.C. 

Those who are being actively treated for cancer or who are on particular immunosuppressant medications, or have a blood cancer are in the CEV group. 

If your CEV invitation letter has not arrived to your home, please visit gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated and provide your Personal Health Number. The registration system or phone agent will confirm if you are eligible. 

If the registration system doesn't confirm your eligibility and you believe you should be included on the clinically extremely vulnerable list, contact the care team who is currently managing your condition with you. They will help you. 

People currently receiving cancer treatment and some people who have just finished treatment are considered “clinically extremely vulnerable” as they are at higher risk of getting very sick if they got COVID-19. 

This group includes: 

• People receiving systemic therapy for cancer now or within the past 12 months. This includes chemotherapy, molecular therapy, immunotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, hormonal therapy for cancer

• People receiving radiation therapy for cancer now or in the past 6 months

• People receiving or who have previously received targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system such as CAR-T cell treatments in the past 6 months

• Anyone with blood or bone marrow cancer (such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic disorders)

• People who have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in the past 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppressant medicine related to your transplant

If you believe you are in the CEV group but you have not been contacted by the provincial immunization program, please visit gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated or call: 1-833-838-2323 and provide your Personal Health Number. The registration system or phone agent will confirm if you are eligible.  

If you are still unsure, please speak with your care team. 

‎If you are a new patient at BC Cancer, or have only recently met CEV criteria, your information may have been provided to the provincial immunization program. The provincial immunization program will contact you about receiving your second COVID-19 vaccine dose within the designated timelines for all CEV patients. 

Please ensure that you are registered within the provincial immunization program. You can do this online through the Get Vaccinated website – www.gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated. If you are not registered through the Get Vaccinated website, please do so right away. The provincial immunization program will contact you within 3-5 days of registration.   

If you are unsure whether you are clinically extremely vulnerable, please speak with your care team or check the requirements listed on this page under the "Am I in the CEV group" tab.

‎If you are feeling well, please go to your appointment. 

If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever or shortness of breath, call your cancer centre. Your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

If you are self-isolating after travelling, please do not come to the cancer centre. Call the centre and speak to staff about any appointments you have. 

We may offer you a virtual appointment. Please follow instructions from your health care team.  

If you are a new patient and visiting a BC Cancer centre for the first time, you can bring one adult with you.

If you are having treatment or a follow-up appointment at a BC Cancer centre, you cannot bring someone with you. Please come by yourself.

If you need a support person at all of your appointments and treatments, please talk to your BC Cancer health care team.  

Thank you for helping us keep our patients and staff safe.

Right now, you do not have to pay for parking at BC Cancer Centres.  

If you are having a virtual appointment (also called a virtual health visit), please read our handout: 

How to prepare for your Virtual Health Visit

All patients and visitors must wear a medical mask in all areas of BC Cancer centres. 

We will give you a medical mask when you arrive. If you are wearing a non-medical mask (like a cotton mask), you will have to take it off and wear the medical mask.

To speak with one of our counsellors, please see our Patient & Family Counselling page for phone numbers and information.

We are offering many of our programs through Zoom.  Please visit our Support Programs page for more information. 

If you are experiencing anxiety, worry or stress for any reason we have online tools to help you. 

BC Cancer pharmacies may be able to mail your prescriptions to you. Please call your BC Cancer pharmacy to order your refills.

You do not need to get extra refills during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you order more than you need ("stockpiling"), other people may not get the medication they need. 

Your BC Cancer pharmacist will tell you how much medication you need. 

If you are feeling unwell and need a refill on your medication, please do not visit the pharmacy. Call the pharmacy and they will make sure you get your medication safely.

All in-person systemic therapy (chemotherapy) teaching sessions are cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Right now, sessions are only available online:

Watch the Introduction to Systemic Therapy video here.

All new systemic therapy patients should watch this video. It is very important to watch the entire video so that you are prepared for your treatment.

‎Visit the Request Patient Records page for information. Follow the steps on that page.

This document will help you start thinking about advance care planning.

Visit our Advance Care Planning page for more information.

Please speak to your family doctor, nurse practitioner or BC Cancer health care team about advance care planning.

If you have concerns at any time during your care, please speak with your oncologist. 

If you still have concerns after this, we support you in contacting the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) Patient Care Quality Office. You can speak to someone about your care experience.

Please visit the PHSA Patient Care Quality Office webpage for more information. 

For more information please visit our Screening Programs page.

It is possible that cancer patients might have worse symptoms from COVID-19. This is because some treatments affect how well their immune system works.  

You should do your best to avoid getting COVID-19. This includes:

• Wearing a mask when near other people, especially indoors.
  
• Staying 2 metres (6 feet) from other people.
  
• Washing your hands often with soap and water (20 to 30 seconds each time).
  
• Not touching your face.
  
• Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
  
• Staying home when sick.

The BC Centre for Disease Control has a full list of things you can do to stay healthy and help stop the spread of COVID-19. ‎

Read their prevention and risk page here.

If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, you should get a COVID-19 test.

Symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
  
• New or worsening cough
  
• Shortness of breath (new or worsening)
  
• Sore throat and painful swallowing
• Stuffy or runny nose
  
• Lose of sense of smell or taste
  
• Headache
• Muscle aches
  
• Fatigue (tiredness)
  
• Loss or appetite
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
• Diarrhea
  

If you do not have any symptoms, you do not need a test. Your doctor or health care team may also decide if you need a test.

You can use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to help you decide if you need a test. You can do this assessment for yourself or for someone else if they are not able to.

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If you have any symptoms, contact your cancer care team. Tell them how you are feeling. Some of your symptoms may be a side effect of treatment. Your oncologist will know more.