Administering Vaccines with Immunotherapy

Vaccine-Immunotherapy Timing Principles

Inactivated vaccines, such as pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, do not interfere with immune responses to other medications or treatments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2
There is no required waiting period between inactivated vaccines and immunotherapy agents, as stated by the National Institutes of Health 4
The general principle is that inactivated vaccines may be administered concomitantly with, or at any time before or after, other treatments, as recommended by the World Health Organization 3

For patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab, vaccines should be administered on availability without delay, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology 4
Patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors can receive vaccines at any time during their treatment course, as stated by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 4
The timing recommendation is "on vaccine availability" for patients receiving immunotherapy agents, as recommended by the European Society for Medical Oncology 4

Each medication should be administered using proper technique at appropriate anatomic sites, as recommended by the American Academy of Family Physicians 6
A 15-20 minute observation period following vaccination is recommended, as syncope can occur after vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 6
Minor illnesses without fever are not contraindications for vaccination, as stated by the American Academy of Pediatrics 6

Document vaccination details (including vaccine name, date, and administration site) to enable accurate assessment of any subsequent adverse events, as recommended by the National Institutes of Health 4
Common vaccine-related effects (injection site reactions, fever, malaise) should be expected and distinguished from irAEs, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology 4