Dana-Farber researchers find link between multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccine and cancer patient outcomes

Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found multiple doses of the COVID-19 vaccine reduced mortality and negative health outcomes in breakthrough cases for cancer patients.

The study, published Feb. 13 in The Lancet Regional Health, analyzed 2,486 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in 2021 or 2022. Of those patients, 564 had two doses of an mRNA vaccine and 385 had three doses. 

Here are three findings:

1. Patients with two or three doses had better outcomes, including decreased 30-day mortality, hospitalization and ICU admissions.
   
   
2. Black patients had higher rates of hospitalization.
   
   
3. Hispanic patients had higher rates of ICU admission.