Canadian Cancer Society statement on vaccine prioritization for people with cancer
As the voice for Canadians who care about cancer, we are bringing forward your concerns to government
The COVID-19 vaccine is a critical part of ending the pandemic and helping people with cancer. The fewer COVID-19 cases we have, the more likely it is that cancer care will not be impacted and those with cancer will have a better chance of surviving.
People with cancer may be at an increased risk of more severe outcomes from COVID-19. That’s why the vaccine must be available and accessible now to those who are most vulnerable, including those who are facing cancer and those who care for people with cancer. They cannot afford to wait.
Through our helpline and online community, we continue to hear from people affected by cancer who want more clear information about COVID-19, and access to vaccines sooner.
We call on governments to protect the health and safety of those living with cancer as part of their COVID-19 response plans. People with cancer should be prioritized to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before the general population. Healthcare providers should be empowered to determine the best timing of the second dose based on the unique circumstances of their patients.
As the voice for Canadians who care about cancer, we will continue to advocate to governments to best support people affected by cancer immediately. Learn more about our COVID-19 response at cancer.ca. To help you advocate for vaccine-related issues, we have developed a self-advocacy toolkit.
We encourage people with cancer to talk to their doctor about the COVID-19 vaccine and to ask questions around timing of the doses.