Worried about cancer
When you have cancer, you might be worried about getting COVID-19 caused by a type of coronavirus. The virus can affect your breathing or respiratory system as well as other parts of the body. Symptoms can vary, some people have mild symptoms, and others have severe symptoms.
The virus spreads when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes, talks, sings or breathes. This releases tiny droplets into the air. These droplets can reach anyone nearby, and they can get the virus.
Some people with cancer are at a higher risk of complications. This is because cancer and its treatment can weaken your . This means you are less able to fight infections. The immune system protects your body against infections caused by viruses like coronavirus.
Some types of cancer can also lower your ability to fight infection. This is usually cancer that affects your immune system, such as or .
This page has information for adults with cancer. For coronavirus information for children with cancer, please visit the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) website.
The symptoms of COVID-19 may be very similar to those of a cold, flu or pneumonia.
To test for COVID-19 you can do a COVID-19 lateral flow test. These tests are no longer free for everyone, but they are free for people:
with certain types of cancer
who had treatment for certain types of cancer
with some types of blood cancer
Speak to your healthcare team about free lateral flow tests to keep at home.
You can read more details about the symptoms of COVID on the NHS website
If you are having cancer treatment or have had it in the last 3 months, or have a cancer that affects your immune system, reach out for support if you:
have symptoms of COVID-19
feel unwell
You can contact:
your chemotherapy helpline
the Acute Oncology Service at your hospital
Your healthcare team will assess you over the phone and might ask you to stay at home.
Call 999 immediately if you are feeling very ill.
If you have symptoms but are not having cancer treatment, you can look at the NHS coronavirus information or call NHS 111.
NHS 111 Get help for your symptoms
If you have a weakened immune system, you are at higher risk of getting unwell with an infection. You should protect yourself from coronavirus in the same way as you would against other infections. This might include wearing a mask when around others. Follow the advice from your healthcare team for your situation.
Also, ensure you have all the COVID-19 vaccines you are eligible for. Your doctor or specialist nurse can tell you the best time to have the vaccines.
You can read more general information about protecting yourself against coronavirus. Follow the link to your part of the UK at the bottom of this page.
People most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 can have treatment with antiviral and antibody drugs. This includes people with a weakened immune system, such as those:
with certain types of cancer
who had treatment for certain types of cancer
with some types of blood cancer
The drugs include:
Local NHS organisations organise COVID-19 treatments. How you get treatment will depend on where you live.
Follow the links lower down on this page to your part of the country for more information on how to get a COVID-19 treatment.
More information is also available from your local integrated care board (ICB).
You can read more information about COVID treatments on the NHS website.
A vaccine is a type of medicine. It trains the body's to fight a disease it has not come into contact with before. For infectious illnesses, vaccines try to prevent people from becoming ill with a disease.
Specialists say that it is important for people with cancer to have the vaccine, and it is safe.
The type of vaccine you have depends on several factors, including availability. The NHS uses two COVID-19 vaccines. They are:
Pfizer/-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
Moderna (Spikevax)
Specialists say that everyone having systemic anti cancer therapy (SACT) should be considered for the vaccine. Systemic anti cancer therapy includes treatments such as chemotherapy. It can cause a weakened immune system.
Your cancer treatment can also go ahead if you've had the vaccine. There is no need for your treatment to be delayed because of it.
Some people need an extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if they have treatment that severely weakens their immune system. These include treatments such as a stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy. When you can have the vaccine will depend on your type of treatment and where you are in your treatment plan.
Talk to your doctor or specialist nurse for specific advice for your circumstances.
You may need extra protection against coronavirus if you are about to start treatment that severely weakens your immune system. Your doctor will be able to tell you what type of vaccine to have and when to have it.
Several studies have now published results on how well the vaccines work for people with cancer. In general, these studies show that if you have a weakened immune system, you might have less protection against the virus.
People with blood cancer, in particular, have less protection. This is when compared to people with solid cancers.
You can read more on the Blood Cancer UK website on how well the vaccines work for people with a blood cancer.
Visit the Blood Cancer UK website
A study looking at COVID-19 and people who have cancer (SOAP)
A current Cancer Research UK study is looking at:
the different ways our immune system deals with COVID-19
if this can help predict what symptoms people might get
if COVID-19 has any direct or indirect effect on the cancer itself
People are often worried about the side effects of vaccines. Your healthcare team or GP will be able to give you advice about your situation. It is best to do this before going for the vaccine.
The person giving you the vaccine will also give you advice. They will talk to you about the general side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines.
A side effect of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines is lymph node swelling. You might have swollen lymph nodes in the armpit of the arm you had the vaccine in.
Research shows that around 1 out of every 100 (1%) people who had the COVID-19 vaccine developed swollen lymph nodes.
Your doctor will keep this in mind when looking at your scans. Speak to your doctor if you are worried about swollen lymph nodes.
Read about side effects of the vaccine on the NHS website
The autumn 2025 COVID-19 jab has been available since the 1st of October 2025.
The following people are eligible for the vaccine:
adults aged 75 years and over
people living in care homes for older adults
people with a weakened immune system, aged 6 months and over (this includes people with blood cancers and those who are having or recently had cancer treatment, such as or radiotherapy)
The eligibility is the same across the 4 nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
If you're eligible for the COVID-19 jab, you can:
book an appointment online on the NHS website or in the NHS App
visit a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get the jab without an appointment
COVID-19 vaccines may also be available at local services, such as a:
community pharmacy
GP surgery
care home (if you live in a care home)
You don’t have to wait for an invitation to book an appointment.
The links below have more information on coronavirus in your part of the UK.
NHS inform has further information about the coronavirus for people living in Scotland.
The Scottish Government website has the latest guidance for people living in Scotland.
Read the Scottish government's guidance
Public Health Wales has information and guidance for people living in Wales. Information is also available in Welsh.
Visit the Public Health Wales website
The Welsh government website also has the latest guidance for people living in Wales.
Read the government guidance in Wales
The Public Health Agency has information for people living in Northern Ireland.
Visit the Public Health Agency website
The government in Northern Ireland has the latest guidance on its website for people living in Northern Ireland.
Read the government guidance in Northern Ireland
The NHS website has all the latest information about the coronavirus and how to protect yourself.
The government website has the latest guidance for people living in England.
Last reviewed: 25 Jun 2025
Next review due: 23 Dec 2025
Find information about how cancer starts, the signs and symptoms, and waiting times for cancer treatment.
Learn about key cancer symptoms, including common and less known signs. Spotting cancer early saves lives, so tell your doctor if anything is abnormal for you
Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases. Many cancers form solid tumours, which are masses of tissue. Cancers of the blood, such as
There are waiting time targets for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the different UK nations.
An urgent suspected cancer referral includes tests or referral to a hospital doctor. This to investigate your symptoms and find out if it could be cancer.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
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