Vaccines can’t cure every illness, but they can help protect us from serious diseases or make those diseases less dangerous. For people with lymphoma, the coronavirus can be especially risky. But does the COVID-19 vaccine offer the same protection if cancer treatments have weakened your immune system? And is there a chance the vaccine could be harmful? In this article, we’ll answer those questions and explore the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for people with lymphoma.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for People With Lymphoma?

Doctors and researchers agree that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for people with lymphoma. Even though people with lymphoma have a weakened immune system, there is no risk of developing the virus from the vaccine. This is because the vaccines that are approved — such as the Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines — don’t contain live virus, making it impossible for them to cause COVID-19.

The COVID-19 shot can cause side effects, but these are usually mild. There’s no evidence that people with lymphoma are at greater risk of serious side effects or adverse events after receiving the vaccine than the general population.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine include soreness near the injection site, fatigue (tiredness), headache, and mild fever. These side effects are usually mild and go away after a day or two. Although rare, it’s possible that your lymph nodes might become swollen after your shot. If the swelling doesn’t go down after two weeks, talk to your health care team about it.

Rare Side Effects

Serious side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine are rare. In very few cases, some people have experienced a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which can happen after any vaccine. After you receive the vaccine, you will be monitored by medical professionals so that treatment is readily available in the unlikely event that you do experience a serious allergic reaction.

Another rare side effect is inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) or inflammation of the lining of the heart (pericarditis). The few people that have experienced this side effect have fully recovered with treatment and rest.

Should People With Lymphoma Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Health experts recommend that people with cancer, like lymphoma, get the COVID-19 vaccine. People who have lymphoma may be immunocompromised, meaning that their immune system doesn’t work as well as it should. Major health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend that people who are immunocompromised get vaccinated against the coronavirus. This is because their immune system is vulnerable, so they are more likely to become very sick if they get COVID-19.

How Do COVID-19 Vaccines Work if Your Immune System Is Suppressed?

The COVID-19 vaccines help your body recognize and fight off the virus that causes COVID-19. But since your immune system may not be as strong — especially if you’re currently undergoing treatment — this makes some people worry that the vaccine won’t work as well for them.

Normally, the COVID-19 vaccine prompts the body to create antibodies, which are proteins that help your immune system fight the virus. However, people with lymphoma, especially those on therapies like chemotherapy, may produce fewer antibodies than those without cancer. Some studies have found that people with blood cancers tend to have a weaker response to the COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC recommends people with weakened immune systems get an extra dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (three doses of Pfizer, three doses of Moderna, or two doses of Novavax) and stay current with seasonal booster shots. The extra dose will provide additional protection so that the vaccine may be more effective. Even if your body doesn’t have a strong immune response, getting vaccinated still provides important protection. Some defense is better than none at all.

Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Increase the Risk of Getting Lymphoma?

The COVID-19 vaccine does not cause lymphoma or any other type of cancer. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops when certain white blood cells (including T cells and B cells) grow uncontrollably. This happens because of mutations (changes) in the cells’ DNA. These mutations can be triggered by different factors, such as genetics or environmental exposure. However, the COVID-19 vaccine is not linked to these kinds of changes.

The vaccine works by helping your immune system recognize and fight off the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 infection. It trains the immune system to spot the spike protein found on the surface of the virus. This response helps your body protect itself against serious illness if you’re exposed to the virus in the future. Importantly, the vaccines don’t alter your DNA or cause mutations, so there is no way they can increase your risk of lymphoma or any other cancer.

How Lymphoma Treatments Affect the Timing and Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines

If you’re being treated for lymphoma, your treatment could affect how well your immune system responds to the vaccine. It can also impact the timing of your vaccination. Below, we’ll cover some common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy and how they could affect your body’s response to a COVID-19 vaccine.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cancer cells, but it can affect healthy cells too. This includes those in your immune system. As a result, chemotherapy can weaken your body’s ability to fight off infections, and it may reduce your immune response to a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you’re currently in chemotherapy treatment, your doctor might suggest getting the vaccine when your immune system is at its strongest. This could be in between chemotherapy cycles or during a break in treatment. They might also suggest additional booster doses to maximize your level of protection. Even with a weakened immune system, the vaccine can still reduce your risk of severe illness or hospitalization if you do become infected with COVID-19.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Rituximab (Rituxan) and obinutuzumab (Gazyva) are medications that treat lymphoma by targeting and reducing B cells. B cells are an important part of the immune system that produces antibodies. Because these treatments reduce your number of B cells, they can also weaken your body’s ability to create antibodies. This includes antibodies made in response to the COVID-19 vaccine.

If you’re on one of these treatments, your doctor might recommend timing your vaccine doses carefully. If you’ve already received your COVID-19 vaccine during your treatment with Rituximab, you may need to get vaccinated again after you finish. Medical professionals recommend getting revaccinated six months after completing B-cell-depleting therapy, such as rituximab or obinutuzumab. You may also need additional vaccine doses or booster shots to make sure you have the best possible protection.

Stem Cell Transplants

Lymphoma or lymphoma treatment often weakens the immune system. Replacing bone marrow can help rebuild it.

A stem cell transplant replaces damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. This can be done using your own healthy stem cells or a donor’s. After the transplant, the new stem cells can grow into different types of blood cells, including the white blood cells that fight infections.

However, after a stem cell transplant, the immune system needs time to rebuild. This means your body might not respond well to the COVID-19 vaccine right away. Most doctors recommend waiting several months after the transplant before getting vaccinated. If you already got the vaccine before or during your transplant or CAR T-cell therapy, health care professionals recommend getting revaccinated at least three months later.

Weighing the Risks and Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccination for People With Lymphoma

If you’re still unsure about whether the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you, talk to your doctor or an oncology (cancer) specialist. For most people, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. COVID-19 can be particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, including those with lymphoma. The vaccine helps reduce your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or death.

While there are some risks associated with the vaccine, they are generally rare and treatable. The risk of COVID-19, on the other hand, is much higher, especially for people with underlying conditions such as lymphoma.

While lymphoma may affect how well your body responds to the COVID-19 vaccine, getting vaccinated is still highly recommended. Talk to your health care team about making a vaccination plan that works for you.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLymphomaTeam is the social network for people with lymphoma and their loved ones. On MyLymphomaTeam, more than 20,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lymphoma.

Did you receive your COVID-19 vaccine or booster? Did you have to adjust the timing of the vaccine based on your treatment plan? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.