Outrage Over Lack of COVID-19 Vaccines as People With Cancer Struggle to Get It: 3 Things to Try

Lung cancer survivor Ivy Elkins told SurvivorNet that she hasn’t gotten the COVID-19 vaccine yet. “I live in Illinois where cancer patients are part of phase IC which has not opened for vaccine eligibility yet. In fact, IB is not opening until this coming Monday and includes everyone over 65 (reduction from CDC recommendations of 75) and a long list of frontline essential workers. This means there are millions of people in front of me and others like me.”

Elkins has taken steps, like trying to contact her governor, to raise awareness of what cancer patients and survivors are facing right now. She said, “While I do not want to say cancer patients should be prioritized above anyone who is part of IB, I wish Illinois would consider making people living with cancer part of IB instead of IC due to our high rate of mortality from COVID that rivals the risk of many healthy people who are over 65 and frontline workers. I have attempted to contact Illinois Governor Pritzger and the Chicago Tribune about this in an attempt to raise awareness for the situation of cancer patients, but have received no response”.

Ovarian cancer survivor Ni Guttenfelder tells SurvivorNet, “I want to get the vaccine and have signed up at the county website (indicating I'm in the high-risk category) but have no idea when I'll get an appointment. I've also called local pharmacies and no one can tell me when the vaccines will be available.”

One cancer survivor in Arizona wrote to President Joe Biden on Twitter, “Thank you so much for moving so quickly on this. I am 66, a cancer survivor, with other preexisting conditions. I have been unable to make an appointment for my COVID vaccine due to supply issues and other problems with the vaccine in the Phoenix area.”

Thank you so much for moving so quickly on this. I am 66, a cancer survivor, with other preexisting conditions. I have been unable to make an appointment for my COVID vaccine due to supply issues and other problems with the vaccine in the Phoenix area.

— Jo Namio ☮ ❤️ 🏒 🥅 (@jnamio) January 21, 2021

Another Twitter user, Joannie, said of her experience, “call from cancer centre, need treatment, no vaccine distribution available for immune-compromised patients, seniors in community or caregivers until April. Do I risk to live or do I die, put my mum and essential caregiver at risk getting me there? @ARCHDisability @DavidLepofsky”

call from cancer centre, need treatment, no vaccine distribution available for immune compromised patients, seniors in community or caregivers until April. Do I risk to live or do I die, put my mum and essential caregiver at risk getting me there? @ARCHDisability @DavidLepofsky

— Joannie (@CanadianJoannie) January 18, 2021

Those in the medical field are concerned about the lack of vaccines being administered to cancer patients as well. David Einstein shared on Twitter, “Yesterday, our hospital system informed us that all employees, even non-patient-facing, were now eligible for vaccines. Meanwhile, our patients (with cancer, mostly older) are appropriately concerned about eligibility, and seemingly won’t be until phase 2 begins in Feb.”

Yesterday, our hospital system informed us that all employees, even non-patient-facing, were now eligible for vaccines. Meanwhile, our patients (with cancer, mostly older) are appropriately concerned about eligibility, and seemingly won't be until phase 2 begins in Feb.

— David Einstein (@davidjeinstein) January 22, 2021

If you’re awaiting the vaccine while battling cancer, here’s what you can do to try to expedite the process:

1. Push for It Like Your Life Depends On It

For those fighting cancer, you may be in an immunocompromised state, due to cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, which affect the immune system. One source whose mother successfully got the COVID-19 vaccine in New York said, “The only way to get an appointment is to be a bulldog and not give up.” Another person, whose dad is 67-years-old and battling stage four cancer, took to Twitter to express their anger they said, “It makes me so upset that people who didn't take covid seriously and "believe" in it are now fully able to get the vaccine…but my dad who is 67rs old, diabetic, and has STAGE 4 CANCER has yet to find a place that will give it to him.”

It makes me so upset that people who didn’t take covid seriously and “believe” in it are now fully able to get the vaccine…but my dad who is 67rs old, diabetic, and has STAGE 4 CANCER has yet to find a place that will give it to him

— krizzle shizzle (@dakriselizorr) January 16, 2021

2. Check to See if You’re Eligible in Another County or State with More Vaccine Supply

Some people are traveling to other states and counties that have a greater access and more supply of the vaccine. That is potentially an option as well. Note, though, that some states, like Florida, are cutting down on so-called “vaccine tourism” by limiting vaccine distribution to residents only. So if you’re planning to travel for the vaccine, be sure to do some research first.

3. Stay Calm & Don’t Get Frustrated

The COVID-19 pandemic has made life feel heavier and tougher in nearly every way imaginable. Everyone is in the same boat when it comes to COVID-19. While people’s economic and medical circumstances vary widely, everyone is dealing daily with a constant threat of a deadly virus.

Related: Stressed Out By Ovarian Cancer and COVID-19? Here's How to Cope

While easier said than done, if you’re able to, try to stay calm and don’t let the situation at hand allow frustration to fester. Some people find meditation to be a helpful tool in combating stress, and I think we can all agree that this is a deeply stressful time to be alive.

Related: Feel the Fear, and Let it Go Meditation for Cancer Survivors

Dr. Brian Berman said in an earlier interview how meditation can be helpful, “In the case of meditation, there is a good deal of high quality scientific research demonstrating the benefits of meditation for people with cancer. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, there is data showing that meditation creates ‘reductions in psychological distress in patients with lung cancer, improves mood and general well-being in patients across several cancer diagnoses, as well as enhances psychological functioning and mindfulness in partners of cancer patients.'”

A Guided Meditation for the SurvivorNet Community

 

 

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