COVID-19 vaccines are updated each year to better match new variants, and protection fades over time. Getting the updated vaccine restores protection and is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of severe illness or hospitalization, especially during cancer care.
In Massachusetts, everyone age 6 months and older is eligible for the updated 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine. Most residents can get vaccinated for no or little cost. Dana-Farber is not routinely offering COVID-19 vaccines at this time, but the updated vaccine is widely available in the community. Enter your ZIP code to find a vaccination location near you. (When scheduling online at pharmacies such as Walgreens or CVS, you may be asked to confirm that you meet your state’s eligibility – which in Massachusetts includes everyone age 6 months and older.)
If you are receiving treatment for cancer, you are considered immunocompromised and may need additional COVID-19 vaccine doses to stay protected. Talk with your care team about how many doses are right for you.
COVID-19 therapies may lower your risk of severe illness if you test positive for the virus. You may be eligible for these treatments if you are at high risk for complications from COVID-19 infection. Contact your Dana-Farber care team as soon as possible after a positive test or when symptoms start, because some treatments must begin within days.
If you have questions, please talk with your Dana-Farber care team.
COVID-19 vaccines teach your immune system to recognize and fight the virus. Because COVID-19 changes over time, updated vaccines are designed to protect against newer variants, and staying up to date helps maintain protection as immunity naturally fades.
Being up to date on COVID-19 vaccination greatly reduces your chances of severe illness and hospitalization. And it is especially important for our patients, because cancer and treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy can weaken the immune system, making COVID-19 more dangerous.
Yes. COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been shown in large studies to be safe and effective. They are non-live vaccines, and hundreds of millions of doses have been given under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, with ongoing oversight by the FDA and other agencies.
Most COVID-19 vaccine side effects, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, or low-grade fever, are mild and resolve within a day or two. Although rare, some vaccines have been linked to a heart condition called myocarditis. Cases are usually mild and improve with treatment. COVID-19 itself can also cause myocarditis and other serious complications, and vaccination lowers those risks. If you have specific health concerns, talk with your care team.
Talk with your care team if you've had an allergic reaction to certain chemotherapy drugs, such as those that contain polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is a compound that is part of some COVID-19 vaccines. They may be able to recommend another vaccine that would be safe for you.
Most people, including those receiving cancer treatment, should get a COVID-19 vaccine. However, if you have had an allergic reaction to a previous vaccine or chemotherapy, please speak with your Dana-Farber care team so that they can recommend a vaccine and any extra safety steps that might be needed.
When you are given a COVID-19 vaccine, you will be given clear instructions on what to do if you experience side effects. Most COVID-19 vaccine side effects, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, or low-grade fever, are mild and resolve within a day or two.
Dana-Farber oncology nurse Melissa Houston, RN, BSN, writes about her decision to get vaccinated and addresses concerns that some people have about the vaccine's safety and effectiveness.
Thomas Farrington, a prostate cancer survivor and founder of the Prostate Health Education Network, as well as a trustee for Dana-Farber, shares why he feels it's especially important for communities of color to trust, and have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
