A serious challenge in fighting the COVID 19 pandemic: SARS CoV 2 vaccines in oncologic patients

Abstract

In 2020, the world started to face the rapid spread of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that causes the severe respiratory syndrome called COVID-19. COV-ID-19 soon developed as a pandemic that, in just over a year and a half, has dramatically affected the lives, social behaviors, and economy globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 4 million deaths around the world, especially in patients with pre-existing medical conditions that make them more vulnerable. In this regard, patients with cancer are at higher risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 and develop severe disease. This is due to both their underlying immunosuppression and the cytotoxic regimens that they receive (1, 2). Furthermore, cancer patients are experiencing delays and modifica-