Study Finds Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Safe and Effective for Gynecologic Oncology Patients

A prospective cohort study recently published on Vaccines set out to determine the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for gynecologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment around the time of their vaccination.

In all, 44 gynecologic cancer patients were enrolled in the study, including 28 ovarian cancer patients. Patients involved in the study were either currently undergoing chemotherapy, or had received chemotherapy within 6 months prior to being vaccinated. All patients received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and results were then compared with a control group.

By analyzing antibody presence over time, researchers concluded that the vaccine produced an immunogenic response for patients in the study. Antibodies waned in comparison to the control group after 3 months, suggesting gynecologic oncology patients should be monitored for antibodies and may benefit from additional protective boosters. No serious adverse effects were experienced by patients in the study.