COVID Boosters Significantly Cut Cancer Patient Hospitalizations

New Study Highlights Critical Protection for Vulnerable Group

Cancer patients receiving COVID-19 booster shots experience substantially lower rates of hospitalization and intensive care unit admission, according to groundbreaking research from Cedars-Sinai. This real-world data validates existing recommendations and underscores the importance of vaccination for those undergoing cancer treatment.

Booster Efficacy Proven in Real-World Data

A comprehensive study analyzing over 161,000 cancer patients across four major U.S. health systems revealed that COVID-19 boosters reduced hospitalizations and ICU admissions by 29%. This translates to preventing one hospitalization or ICU stay for every 150 to 166 boosted patients, a significant benefit for this at-risk population.

“Cancer patients are a vulnerable population,” stated Jane Figueiredo, PhD, director of Community Health and Population Research at Cedars-Sinai and the study’s senior author. “Their immune systems can be weakened by their disease and the treatments they receive, which is why major health organizations recommend that these patients be vaccinated against COVID-19.”

Figueiredo added, “Our study supports these recommendations. We used real-world data across four major health systems in the U.S. to show that these booster vaccines reduce the risk of hospitalization and severe illness.”

Low Booster Uptake Raises Concerns

Despite the clear benefits, the study highlighted concerningly low booster uptake among cancer patients. By early 2022, 68% had received a booster, but this figure dropped to just 38% after updated vaccines targeting multiple COVID-19 strains became available.

“Whether this is due to patient concerns about safety or provider uncertainty about whether to administer a vaccine during treatment is not clear,” Figueiredo commented. “What is clear is that we need to advocate strongly for vulnerable groups, including cancer patients, to receive these vaccines.”

Further Research Planned for Other Vulnerable Groups

Robert Figlin, MD, interim director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, emphasized the study’s significance: “This is the largest study to date of COVID-19 booster effectiveness in cancer patients, a high-risk population of critical importance.” He added that the research team is preparing to publish similar findings for patients with autoimmune diseases and those who have received solid organ transplants.

The effectiveness of mRNA vaccines in various populations is still an evolving area of research. Figueiredo noted, “There are several different groups whose immune systems have been affected in different ways, which gives us an opportunity to expand further our understanding of how these vaccines work.”

The findings, published in JAMA Oncology, are based on data collected from Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Northwell Health, and the Veterans Health Administration.

As of early 2024, the CDC reported that while nearly 70% of adults aged 65 and older had received an updated COVID-19 vaccine, uptake in younger, at-risk populations like cancer patients remains a concern (CDC, 2024).