Today, 110 organizations and cancer centers  – including The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) sent a letter to President Joseph R. Biden, key members of his administration and leading public health officials at state health departments to underscore the importance of prioritizing patients with active cancer and survivors of cancer when administering the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines. The broad spectrum of organizations that signed this letter represent laboratory, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; millions of patients with cancer and survivors of cancer; and patient advocates from across the United States.

Recent research has shown that patients with cancer are at increased risk of severe illness and death if infected with the virus. Moreover, patients with cancer often receive frequent in-person care, which increases their risk of exposure to the virus. Certain survivors of cancer also have a higher probability of infection and COVID-related death compared to the general population.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes that cancer places individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19, many states are broadening and simplifying the groups eligible for COVID-19 vaccination to speed up distribution of the vaccines. The letter notes that while mass, rapid vaccination is a worthy goal, the currently limited supply of vaccines means that many who are at high risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19, including patients with cancer and survivors of cancer, may continue to wait in line for many months if high-risk groups are not provided with priority access.

“It is critical that we prioritize cancer patients and cancer survivors as a high-risk, vulnerable group — regardless of age — that should receive top priority for vaccination,” says Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD, director of the OSUCCC – James and a surgical oncologist. "We are doing everything we can to make our cancer hospital and associated clinics a safe haven for patients to receive cancer screenings and treatment; vaccination is a critical step for our patients as we continue to navigate through and provide cancer care during the pandemic.”

The letter, initiated by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), urges the Biden administration and public health officials at the state level to continue to prioritize patients with cancer and survivors of cancer in statewide vaccination plans. Read the full letter.