COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Show Significant Protection for Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northern California have found that COVID-19 vaccine boosters provide significant protection against severe COVID-19 in people with cancer, despite low uptake of these vaccines in this high-risk population. The study's findings suggest that COVID-19 booster vaccinations are associated with a reduced risk of COVID-19 hospitalization, diagnosed COVID-19, and COVID-19-related intensive care unit (ICU) admission in people with cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 72,831 people with cancer, with 69% receiving a monovalent booster by January 1, 2022.
  • Among those who received a monovalent booster, the COVID-19 hospitalization rate was 30.5 per 1000 person-years, compared to 41.9 per 1000 person-years among those who received the primary series alone.
  • The adjusted vaccine efficacy (VE) of the monovalent booster was 29.2% (95% CI, 19.9%-37.3%) to prevent COVID-19 hospitalization.
  • The number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19 hospitalization was 166 (95% CI, 130-244).
  • Among 88,417 people with cancer who received the bivalent vaccine, the COVID-19 hospitalization rate was 13.4 per 1000 person-years, with an adjusted VE of 29.9% (95% CI, 19.4%-39.1%) to prevent COVID-19 hospitalization.
  • The study's findings highlight the importance of increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake in people with cancer, a high-risk population for severe COVID-19.

Statistics:

  • 72,831 people with cancer were included in the study.
  • 69% of those with cancer received a monovalent booster by January 1, 2022.
  • During 34,006 person-years of follow-up, the COVID-19 hospitalization rate was 30.5 per 1000 person-years among patients who received a monovalent booster.
  • The adjusted VE of the monovalent booster was 29.2% (95% CI, 19.9%-37.3%) to prevent COVID-19 hospitalization.
  • The NNV to prevent one COVID-19 hospitalization was 166 (95% CI, 130-244).
  • Among 88,417 people with cancer who received the bivalent vaccine, the COVID-19 hospitalization rate was 13.4 per 1000 person-years.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Recent Findings in COVID-19 Described by Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northern California (Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Uptake and Effectiveness Among Us Adults With Cancer). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. August 17, 2025; p 316.
  • JAMA Oncology. Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Uptake and Effectiveness Among Us Adults With Cancer. 2025.