Coronavirus (COVID-19)
When you have cancer, you might be worried about getting COVID-19 caused by a type of coronavirus. The virus can affect your breathing or respiratory system as well as other parts of the body. Symptoms can vary, some people have mild symptoms, and others have severe symptoms.
The virus spreads when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes, talks, sings or breathes. This releases tiny droplets into the air. These droplets can reach anyone nearby, and they can get the virus.
Am I at more risk of becoming unwell with COVID-19 because I have cancer?
Some people with cancer are at a higher risk of complications. This is because cancer and its treatment can weaken your 
. This means you are less able to fight infections. The immune system protects your body against infections caused by viruses like coronavirus.
Some types of cancer can also lower your ability to fight infection. This is usually cancer that affects your immune system, such as or .
This page has information for adults with cancer. For coronavirus information for children with cancer, please visit the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) website.
COVID symptoms
The symptoms of COVID-19 may be very similar to those of a cold, flu or pneumonia.
To test for COVID-19 you can do a COVID-19 lateral flow test. These tests are no longer free for everyone, but they are free for people:
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with certain types of cancer
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who had treatment for certain types of cancer
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with some types of blood cancer
Speak to your healthcare team about free lateral flow tests to keep at home.
When to seek medical advice
If you are having cancer treatment or have had it in the last 3 months, or have a cancer that affects your immune system, reach out for support if you:
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have symptoms of COVID-19
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feel unwell
You can contact:
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your chemotherapy helpline
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the Acute Oncology Service at your hospital
Your healthcare team will assess you over the phone and might ask you to stay at home.
Call 999 immediately if you are feeling very ill.
If you have symptoms but are not having cancer treatment, you can look at the NHS coronavirus information or call NHS 111.
How do I protect myself from coronavirus if I have cancer?
If you have a weakened immune system, you are at higher risk of getting unwell with an infection. You should protect yourself from coronavirus in the same way as you would against other infections. This might include wearing a mask when around others. Follow the advice from your healthcare team for your situation.
Also, ensure you have all the COVID-19 vaccines you are eligible for. Your doctor or specialist nurse can tell you the best time to have the vaccines.
You can read more general information about protecting yourself against coronavirus. Follow the link to your part of the UK at the bottom of this page.
COVID treatment
People most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 can have treatment with antiviral and antibody drugs. This includes people with a weakened immune system, such as those:
- with certain types of cancer
- who had treatment for certain types of cancer
- with some types of blood cancer
The drugs include:
- molnupiravir (Lagevrio)
- nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid)
- remdesivir (Veklury)
- sotrovimab (Xevudy) -
a monoclonal antibody drug
How to get a COVID-19 treatment
Local NHS organisations organise COVID-19 treatments. How you get treatment will depend on where you live.
Follow the links lower down on this page to your part of the country for more information on how to get a COVID-19 treatment.
More information is also available from your local integrated care board (ICB).
You can read more information about COVID treatments on the NHS website.
COVID vaccine
A vaccine is a type of medicine. It trains the body's to fight a disease it has not come into contact with before. For infectious illnesses, vaccines try to prevent people from becoming ill with a disease.
Specialists say that it is important for people with cancer to have the vaccine, and it is safe.
The type of vaccine you have depends on several factors, including availability. The NHS uses two COVID-19 vaccines. They are:
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Pfizer/-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
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Moderna (Spikevax)
COVID-19 vaccine and cancer treatment
Specialists say that everyone having systemic anti cancer therapy (SACT) should be considered for the vaccine. Systemic anti cancer therapy includes treatments such as chemotherapy. It can cause a weakened immune system.
Your cancer treatment can also go ahead if you've had the vaccine. There is no need for your treatment to be delayed because of it.
When you can have the vaccine will depend on your type of treatment and where you are in your treatment plan.
Talk to your doctor or specialist nurse for specific advice for your circumstances.
If you're about to start treatment that will cause a weakened immune system
You may need extra protection against coronavirus if you are about to start treatment that severely weakens your immune system. Your doctor will be able to tell you what type of vaccine to have and when to have it.
How well do the vaccines work for people with cancer?
Several studies have now published results on how well the vaccines work for people with cancer. In general, these studies show that if you have a weakened immune system, you might have less protection against the virus.
People with blood cancer, in particular, have less protection. This is when compared to people with solid cancers.
You can read more on the Blood Cancer UK website on how well the vaccines work for people with a blood cancer.
A study looking at COVID-19 and people who have cancer (SOAP)
A current Cancer Research UK study is looking at:
- the different ways our immune system deals with COVID-19
- if this can help predict what symptoms people might get
- if COVID-19 has any direct or indirect effect on the cancer itself
COVID vaccine side effects
People are often worried about the side effects of vaccines. Your healthcare team or GP will be able to give you advice about your situation. It is best to do this before going for the vaccine.
The person giving you the vaccine will also give you advice. They will talk to you about the general side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Swollen lymph nodes
A side effect of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines is lymph node swelling. You might have swollen lymph nodes in the armpit of the arm you had the vaccine in.
One research study showed that 65 out of every 100 (65%) people had swollen lymph nodes in their armpit within 2 weeks of having a second dose of the vaccines.
Your doctor will keep this in mind when looking at your scans. Speak to your doctor if you are worried about swollen lymph nodes.
Seasonal COVID-19 vaccines
Seasonal COVID-19 vaccines became available in October 2024 and are available until 31 January 2025. They are available to:
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people aged 65 years and over
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those aged 6 months to 64 years who have a weakened immune system
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people in a care home for older adults
How do I get my seasonal COVID-19 booster vaccine?
The NHS will contact you if you are eligible for a seasonal autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccine. In England, NHS booking services are now closed. You can get the vaccine at a walk in COVID-19 vaccination service.
You can read more about how to get a vaccine in your part of the UK by following the links below.
More information
The links below have more information on coronavirus in your part of the UK.
Scotland
NHS inform has further information about the coronavirus for people living in Scotland.
The Scottish Government website has the latest guidance for people living in Scotland.
Wales
Public Health Wales has information and guidance for people living in Wales. Information is also available in Welsh.
The Welsh government website also has the latest guidance for people living in Wales.
Northern Ireland
The Public Health Agency has information for people living in Northern Ireland.
The government in Northern Ireland has the latest guidance on its website for people living in Northern Ireland.
England
The NHS website has all the latest information about the coronavirus and how to protect yourself.
The government website has the latest guidance for people living in England.
