According to data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the third leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.) between March 2020 and October 2021 was due to COVID-19. This information was based on an analysis of national death certificates by NCI researchers. During the study period COVID-19 accounted for 1:8 U.S. deaths, or a total of 350,000. Additionally, the number of deaths from other causes, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes increased from 2019-2020, perhaps from lack of appropriate care or fear of catching COVID-19.
Individuals who may be at higher risk of COVID-19 infection, or want to avoid or reduce the risk of long term complications, should carefully follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). They should carefully follow updated versions of the recommendations for receiving vaccines and subsequent boosters. Currently COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months of age or older; individuals who are ages 5 years and older can receive the first booster and those who are 50 years old and above can receive a second booster, for a total of four vaccine injections.
Immunocompromised individuals should discuss in detail with their clinician and healthcare team for evaluation and recommendations. For these patients, there may be recommendations for an additional booster, a fifth vaccine dose. Additionally, they may possibly be eligible for another medication, Evusheld, which is a preventive antibody that may prevent progression to severe disease.
We must also remember that mask mandates being lifted in many situations does not mean “masks riddance,” or total elimination of masks. Individuals must decide for themselves how to utilize COVID-19 preventive precautions and strategies, including when and where to wear a mask. One should consider wearing a mask in public indoor situations, especially during crowded events and as always, following recommendations from the healthcare team.
A lack of mandates in many public situations leaves many cancer patients, others suffering from chronic diseases, and geriatric patients feeling unsafe. Patients continue to express concerns regarding risks of hospitalization and long-term COVID-19 effects that may persist following the acute illness and symptoms.
It is important that healthcare teams emphasize to patients that the available vaccines in the U.S. are effective against most known and reported variants of the virus and safe for patients. While breakthrough COVID-19 infections may occur in fully vaccinated individuals, booster vaccine doses are very important in decreasing the risks of infections and complications. Furthermore, it is important to inform patients that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized the use of “mix and match” booster doses in October 2021, meaning that someone who received the initial vaccination series from one manufacturer could receive a booster doses of vaccine from another manufacturer.
The COVID-19 virus remains in U.S. communities; physicians and the entire healthcare team must maintain currency with CDC guidelines and recommendation for care of all of our patients.
EDITH PETERSON MITCHELL, MD
Edith Peterson Mitchell, MD, MACP, FCPP, FRCP (London), is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology and is Clinical Professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and Associate Director for Diversity Programs and Director of the Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities for Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.
Dr. Mitchell has spent her medical career helping individuals in medically underserved areas and has demonstrated the importance of community service and outreach especially to underserved populations. Her research in breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancers and other GI malignancies involves new drug evaluation and chemotherapy, development of new therapeutic regimens, chemoradiation strategies for combined modality therapy, patient selection criteria and supportive care for patients with gastrointestinal cancer.
Dr. Mitchell served as the 116th President of the National Medical Association, is a member of the American Medical Association, National Medical Association, Aerospace Medical Association, Association of Military Surgeons, Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania, ECOG/ACRIN Cancer Research Group, and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. Because of her experience in the cancer research community Dr. Mitchell served as a member of the NCI's Blue Ribbon Panel convened to advise the National Cancer Advisory Board on then Vice President Biden's National Cancer Moonshot Initiative. In 2019, Dr. Mitchell began service as a member of the President's Cancer Panel and in 2020 she became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.
In addition to her medical achievements, Dr. Mitchell is a retired United States Air Force Brigadier General.