Need for clear messaging
To counter vaccine hesitancy, the authors suggest there is a need for clear, consistent messaging targeting patients with cancer that emphasize the risks of COVID-19 and underscore vaccine benefits.
Dr. Conti pointed out that patients with blood cancer are, in fact, being given preferential access to vaccines in many communities, although this clearly doesn’t mean patients are willing to get vaccinated, as she also noted.
“We need both adequate supply and strong demand to keep this vulnerable population safe,” Dr. Conti emphasized.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society plans to repeat the survey in the near future to assess patients’ and survivors’ access to vaccines as well as their willingness to get vaccinated.
The authors have reported no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.