COVID vaccine effective for 90% of cancer patients, Israeli study finds

Study findings published in JAMA Oncology showed that nine out of 10 oncology patients develop high antibody levels after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, reported The Times of Israel.

The study monitored 102 cancer patients at Beilinson Hospital in Israel after inoculation with two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and only 10 failed to generate an antibody response.

"We found that there is a sufficiently high level of antibodies to provide full protection for 90 percent of oncology patients undergoing active anti-cancer treatment," said Salomon Stemmer, director of oncology research at Beilinson.

He acknowledged that the rate of cancer patients developing antibodies was lower than among a healthy control group of 78 people, all of whom mounted antibody responses. He also noted that the amount of antibodies was significantly lower.

However, he said the results were impressive regardless, noting that "despite the antibody levels of cancer patients being lower than others, they are still 20 times above the point that makes you considered positive for antibodies."

Stemmer said the study is ongoing, and continues to monitor cancer patients in case their antibody levels show any unusual drops, in which case he may recommend a third booster dose of the vaccine for those fighting cancer.