Abstract
Background: Patients with cancer are at heightened risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes due to immunosuppression caused by the disease and its treatments. While COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for this vulnerable group, limited data are available on their side effects in this population. This study aimed to investigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination among cancer patients referred to the oncology department and clinic of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 patients with cancer aged 18 years or older who had received a COVID-19 vaccine. Participants were chosen through convenience sampling. Data were collected through interviews and medical records using a checklist covering demographic characteristics, cancer type, vaccine type, and vaccine-related side effects. Exclusion criteria included incomplete medical records and patients' unwillingness to be interviewed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.
Results: The study showed that side effects in cancer patients was similar to those in the general population, with common local reactions such as injection-site pain and systemic symptoms such as fatigue and headache. No severe adverse effects were expected, except for mild to moderate symptoms.
Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccines appear to be safe for cancer patients, with tolerable side effects comparable to those reported in the general population. These findings provide reassurance about the timeliness of vaccination in this high-risk group, potentially reducing hesitancy.