Second jab following antibody research

Hi Sally,

I think that the extent of vaccinations and whether people have appointments for the second jab varies a lot across the UK-to some extent it will depend on availability of supplies and so on.

I looked at the NHS website and it will not yet allow me to arrange a second jab and advises those who had the first one via GP (either there in the surgery  or via their GP s own link) or a hospital to go back to the first provider and organise it -or wait to be called.

I think that it is useful to consider that the SOAP study did say that there was  a need for further research on cancer patients  re the impact of the virus and vice versa on the immune system; in addition it would seem a good idea for researchers in the future to segment out the different types of blood cancers-CML,AML,CLL,Lymphomas etc,etc.

It seems that CML has been lumped in with all the total variations on blood cancers;as well, targeted molecular therapy by tki  is totally different from some broad spectrum chemos and radiation therapies.

My final point is that there are still some interesting trials going on in different parts of the world to assess if any of the tkis are useful in treating Covid patients (with upper respiratory tract complications for instance): to this end Glivec/imatinib is being re -purposed in liquid form  for intra venous use. There has been some early research on whether compounds such as imatinib and dasatinib offer some kind of  "anti viral" protection  and act as a possible prophylactic:in lab mouse studies came up with an indication of some substantial benefit to give protection from initially contracting the virus.The next stage is applying that to humans.Other studies have explored so called "gene uplift" from tkis in giving some viral protection to CML patients.

Early observational studies from China and Italy ,although not fully peer reviewed perhaps, did not find CML patients were at any extra risk from Covid compared with the general population.I am happy to wait for further "specific to CML" research to emerge and not to panic for my second jab- but in the meantime keep safe.

Best wishes

John

Thank you for your replies. I have managed to get a second jab booked for 24th March which will be just under 8 weeks after my first jab, so I’m happy about that. I think you’re right that CML may fare better than other leukaemia types in relation to Covid but the SOAP study is disappointing nonetheless. Hopefully more data will be available soon. Best wishes, Sally 

I had my second vaccination at the 11 week point. No amount of nagging my surgery managed to get me an earlier date. Still, it’s done now!

David