Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs It Effective?Which Type Should I Get?Side EffectsRisksWhat to AvoidWhere Does It Come From?Where Can You Get It?When Should You Get It?Frequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is It Effective?
Which Type Should I Get?
Side Effects
Risks
What to Avoid
Where Does It Come From?
Where Can You Get It?
When Should You Get It?
Frequently Asked Questions
TheCOVID-19 vaccinesare safe and effective for people with breast cancer. Getting vaccinated can help to prevent harmful outcomes from the illness.Learn more about breast cancer and the COVID-19 vaccine, including safety, benefits, side effects, and more.
Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty
Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe and Effective for People With Breast Cancer?
Most people ages 6 months and older should get the COVID-19 vaccine.COVID vaccines effectively prevent COVID-19 and related complications, including hospitalization and death.
In the United States, all vaccines undergo thorough and rigorous testing to ensure they are safe and effective before being authorized. Severe adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine are infrequent.
It’s safe for most people with breast cancer to get the COVID-19 vaccine. However, certain cancer treatments can make the COVID-19 vaccine less effective. If you are undergoing or about to undergo breast cancer treatment—such as allergy shots (immunotherapy),chemotherapy, orradiation therapy—talk to your healthcare provider before getting the COVID vaccine. Your doctor might suggest that you get the vaccines on an alternative schedule.
Some people experienceaxillary adenopathy—swollen lymph nodes in the armpits—after taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Usually, the lymph node will shrink down on its own in a few days or weeks. This potential side effect concerns some people with breast cancer or a history of breast cancer.
However, recent research suggests that there’s no reason to delay amammogram, breast cancer screening, or breast cancer treatment after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.If you have breast cancer and are concerned about axillary adenopathy, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the vaccine in the opposite/unaffected arm.
How Common Is Breast Cancer?Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer among women in the United States. About one in eight people in the U.S. will develop breast cancer at some point during their lifetime.
How Common Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer among women in the United States. About one in eight people in the U.S. will develop breast cancer at some point during their lifetime.
Which Type of COVID-19 Vaccine Should People With Breast Cancer Get?
It’s safe for people with breast cancer to get any of the above COVID-19 vaccines. However, people with cancer should usually avoid live virus vaccines.None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use in the U.S. are live virus vaccines, so they are all safe for most people with breast cancer.
Are There Any Side Effects of Taking the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Most side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are mild to moderate. Commonside effects of the COVID-19 vaccineinclude:
Allergic Reactions to the COVID-19 VaccineSigns of an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine may include:Difficulty breathingSwelling in the mouth, tongue, face, lips, or throatLow blood pressureSkin reactions, such as a rash or hivesAllergic reactions to vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, are extremely rare. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction shortly after taking the COVID vaccine, seek emergency medical help right away.
Allergic Reactions to the COVID-19 Vaccine
Signs of an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine may include:Difficulty breathingSwelling in the mouth, tongue, face, lips, or throatLow blood pressureSkin reactions, such as a rash or hivesAllergic reactions to vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, are extremely rare. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction shortly after taking the COVID vaccine, seek emergency medical help right away.
Signs of an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine may include:
Risks of COVID-19 for People With Breast Cancer
People with breast cancer and people who have had breast cancer in the past may have a higher chance of developing severe COVID-19 complications.People with weakened immune systems are more likely to be hospitalized from the virus and to have long-lasting illnesses. Cancer survivors who are takingimmunosuppressantshave an especially high risk of severe illness.
Older people with cancer and people with comorbid health conditions—such as heart disease and problems with the lungs—are particularly at risk of dying from COVID-19.
What Should People Avoid Before Taking the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Some people want to take OTC medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen, before taking the COVID-19 vaccine. However, it’s best to avoid OTC pain relievers just before you get the shot to avoid affecting how the vaccine works.
Let your healthcare provider know about any prescribed medications you’re taking—for breast cancer management or anything else—before getting the COVID vaccine. Don’t stop taking any of your medications before getting the shot unless your doctor recommends that you do so.
Where Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Come From?
Researchers used information about previous similar viruses, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) andsevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), to develop the COVID-19 vaccines.
All FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines were developed in laboratories. Then, they went through three phases of clinical trials with tens of thousands of participants to test for safety and effectiveness. After the trials, volunteers were monitored for eight weeks to check for potential adverse reactions. The COVID-19 vaccine was found to be safe and effective in protecting against COVID-19 for most people, with few people reporting serious reactions to the shot.
Where Can You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
There are free and low-cost COVID-19 vaccines available at a wide range of locations, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, urgent care centers, vaccination clinics, pharmacies, health departments, workplaces, and schools. Talk to your healthcare provider or get in touch with your state health department if you aren’t sure where to find a COVID-19 vaccine.
You can alsosearch for COVID-19 vaccinesin your area at Vaccines.gov, call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489), or text your ZIP code to 438829.
When Should You Take the COVID-19 Vaccine?
According to the CDC, for ages 5 years and up, you are considered up-to-date with your vaccination if you have received the most recently updated vaccine from Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax. Adults over 65 and younger children may receive additional doses.
People withweakened immune systems—such as people who are currently undergoingbreast cancer treatment—should talk to their healthcare provider about an alternative vaccine schedule to ensure they are protected against COVID-19. If you have breast cancer or another condition that weakens your immune system, you may be recommended additional vaccine doses.
Summary
People with breast cancer have a higher risk of serious medical complications, hospitalization, and even death from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines offer effective protection against COVID-19 and related complications, and they are safe for people with breast cancer. Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are usually mild and resolve on their own.
It is recommended that all people over six months old receive a COVID-19 vaccine. People who are undergoing breast cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, should let their healthcare provider know before getting the vaccine. They may recommend an additional updated dose or an alternative vaccine schedule.
A Word From Verywell
It’s safe and important for people with breast cancer to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about potential side effects or adverse reactions.
Yes, some survivors should get the COVID vaccine in the arm opposite where they had breast cancer. If you’ve had breast cancer in the past, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the best location for injection.
There is some evidence that COVID-19 may cause long-lasting issues like chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Some researchers believe that this may increase the long-term risk of developing certain cancers. However, it’s still unclear whether or not COVID-19 and cancer are linked.
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17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).American Cancer Society.COVID-19 vaccines in people with cancer.National Cancer Institute.COVID-19 vaccines and people with cancer: A Q&A with Dr. Steven Pergam.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.Ssentongo P, Ssentongo AE, Voleti N, et al.SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness against infection, symptomatic and severe COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Infect Dis. 2022;22(1):439. doi:10.1186/s12879-022-07418-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Safety of COVID-19 vaccines.Wolfson S, Kim E, Plaunova A, et al.Axillary adenopathy after COVID-19 vaccine: No reason to delay screening mammogram.Radiology. 2022;303(2):297-299. doi:10.1148/radiol.213227American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 vaccines.Ariza-Heredia EJ, Chemaly RF.Practical review of immunizations in adult patients with cancer.Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2015;11(11):2606-14. doi:10.1080/21645515.2015.1062189Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Allergic reactions after COVID-19 vaccination.Breast Cancer Research Foundation.COVID-19 and breast cancer: What patients need to know.Kathuria-Prakash N, Antrim L, Hornstein N, et al.Factors associated with hospitalization among breast cancer patients with COVID-19: A diverse multi-center Los Angeles cohort study.Clin Breast Cancer. 2022;22(4):e558-e566. doi:10.1016/j.clbc.2021.12.005Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work.Saini G, Aneja R.Cancer as a prospective sequela of long COVID-19.Bioessays. 2021;43(6):e2000331. doi:10.1002/bies.202000331Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).American Cancer Society.COVID-19 vaccines in people with cancer.National Cancer Institute.COVID-19 vaccines and people with cancer: A Q&A with Dr. Steven Pergam.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.Ssentongo P, Ssentongo AE, Voleti N, et al.SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness against infection, symptomatic and severe COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Infect Dis. 2022;22(1):439. doi:10.1186/s12879-022-07418-yCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Safety of COVID-19 vaccines.Wolfson S, Kim E, Plaunova A, et al.Axillary adenopathy after COVID-19 vaccine: No reason to delay screening mammogram.Radiology. 2022;303(2):297-299. doi:10.1148/radiol.213227American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 vaccines.Ariza-Heredia EJ, Chemaly RF.Practical review of immunizations in adult patients with cancer.Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2015;11(11):2606-14. doi:10.1080/21645515.2015.1062189Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Allergic reactions after COVID-19 vaccination.Breast Cancer Research Foundation.COVID-19 and breast cancer: What patients need to know.Kathuria-Prakash N, Antrim L, Hornstein N, et al.Factors associated with hospitalization among breast cancer patients with COVID-19: A diverse multi-center Los Angeles cohort study.Clin Breast Cancer. 2022;22(4):e558-e566. doi:10.1016/j.clbc.2021.12.005Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work.Saini G, Aneja R.Cancer as a prospective sequela of long COVID-19.Bioessays. 2021;43(6):e2000331. doi:10.1002/bies.202000331Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding.
MedlinePlus.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
American Cancer Society.COVID-19 vaccines in people with cancer.
National Cancer Institute.COVID-19 vaccines and people with cancer: A Q&A with Dr. Steven Pergam.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Ssentongo P, Ssentongo AE, Voleti N, et al.SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness against infection, symptomatic and severe COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Infect Dis. 2022;22(1):439. doi:10.1186/s12879-022-07418-y
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
Wolfson S, Kim E, Plaunova A, et al.Axillary adenopathy after COVID-19 vaccine: No reason to delay screening mammogram.Radiology. 2022;303(2):297-299. doi:10.1148/radiol.213227
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Allergic reactions after COVID-19 vaccination.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation.COVID-19 and breast cancer: What patients need to know.
Kathuria-Prakash N, Antrim L, Hornstein N, et al.Factors associated with hospitalization among breast cancer patients with COVID-19: A diverse multi-center Los Angeles cohort study.Clin Breast Cancer. 2022;22(4):e558-e566. doi:10.1016/j.clbc.2021.12.005
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work.
Saini G, Aneja R.Cancer as a prospective sequela of long COVID-19.Bioessays. 2021;43(6):e2000331. doi:10.1002/bies.202000331
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding.
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