3 minute read
COVID-19 pandemic updates
Vaccination, mask mandates, and pandemic fatigue
By Dr. Brian G.M. Durie IMF Chairman of the Board
Myeloma patients cannot look to the future through rose-colored glasses. The reality is that keeping myeloma in remission – and especially getting there in the first place – requires close attention and expert advice. The same is true for COVID-19.
Implications for myeloma patients
Avoiding COVID-19 infection continues to be the top priority, especially for patients with active myeloma requiring new therapy. For patients with MGUS or SMM, avoiding COVID-19 infection is also key but it is really important to emphasize that MGUS and SMM patients do NOT appear to be more likely to develop COVID-19 infection, and have outcomes similar to a matched non-myeloma population based upon age and/or risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or underlying lung, heart, or kidney conditions. It is very important for myeloma patients undergoing treatment to maintain the recommended therapy to stay in (or achieve) remission. This is a top priority and arranging safe visits to the hospital or clinic must continue as best feasible to sustain ideal control of the myeloma.
Vaccination
Vaccination is strongly encouraged for all myeloma patients. Whichever vaccine is available, please proceed with vaccination as early as possible. All of the vaccines are 100% effective in eliminating the risk of severe disease, which is the main goal. The onedose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is obviously quite convenient. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your particular treatment situation. If you are just recovering from an autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT), then vaccination should be delayed by a month or two. Otherwise, it is safe to proceed. I suggest a commonsense adjustment to your treatment around the timing of vaccination. For example, try to get vaccinated during the week off from maintenance (such as with Revlimid® [lenalidomide]). Do not take more intensive treatment, such as Darzalex® (daratumumab) on the same day as vaccination. However, be very cautious about any extended delays in treatment, since the top priority is still to keep your myeloma in remission. Adjustments for a few days around the day of vaccination are sufficient.
Masks
Even if masks are no longer required in your area, myeloma patients should continue to wear masks. You just do NOT want to take any risk of getting infected. Even as vaccinations are rolling out, the use of masks remains essential for people with myeloma. If you have been vaccinated, chances are any COVID-19 infection will be mild, even if you get infected with one of the new variants. The new guidelines by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for those who are vaccinated say it is okay to get together in small groups with grandchildren. This is a really encouraging step forward. However, flying to visit them is still not a great idea, at least until more people are vaccinated and community levels of infection are lower. Italy may have the right idea – recently the country unveiled “COVID-free” trains to tourist destinations.
Pandemic fatigue
After a year, everyone is feeling the impact. Our lives are just not the same and the tragic losses in our communities are truly unbearable. The new COVID Relief Bill is definitely a triumph and will definitely help in the day-to-day and ongoing recovery for everyone. “From Vaccine to Variants: The Latest COVID-19 Safety Guidance” is an IMF Patient & Family Webinar available for replay at videos.myeloma.org under the IMF Patient & Family Seminar tab. Panelists include Dr. Paul G. Richardson (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), Dr. Rafat Abonour (Indiana University), Dr. Warren Brenner (Boca Raton Regional Hospital), and others. This webinar offers myeloma patients and caregivers guidance for staying safe in our COVID-19 world, information on the latest trends on myeloma care and treatment, and tips for reducing stress in these challenging times. Stay safe and be well! MT
Patient and Family Webinar From Vaccine to Variants:
The Latest COVID-19 Safety Guidance
Live webinar recorded on March 13, 2021 WATCH THE REPLAY!
Replay the archived recording and listen to the experts at this informative webinar myeloma.org/imf-videos
