Cancer patients would like to belong to the first group to be vaccinated against the corona virus. This has emerged from research among more than 2,400 (former) cancer patients from, among others, the Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organizations (NFK). As it looks now, when the vaccine becomes available, people over 60 and people with specific serious conditions will be vaccinated first. Cancer patients are not yet part of this.
Two thirds of all people with cancer indicate that they want to be vaccinated. More than half of them say: ‘preferably with priority.’
Close to each other
“People with cancer are very worried about becoming infected with corona, so many people have put themselves in isolation,” says Irene Dingemans of the Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organizations. Heart of the Netherlands. “It is a very vulnerable and important period in your life. Then it is nice if you can have your loved ones close to you. ”
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54-year-old Hendrine van der Donk has cancer. She is in the final stages of her life and would like to be vaccinated as soon as possible. “When you are in this phase, you want to be in contact with everyone, because you don’t know how long you have left. So you want to make great memories and that doesn’t work because of corona. ”
Hendrine has two sons, aged 21 and 24. Due to corona they have hardly any physical contact. “Every now and then you would just love to give them a big hug or be very close to each other.” This situation makes the last period of her life much more difficult.
‘Think of people with cancer’
The NFK has a clear message to the cabinet: “Also think of people with cancer. Give them the chance, if they want, that they can be vaccinated as a priority, so that they too can regain a piece of quality of life. ”
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Hendrine hopes that politicians will listen to the call. She would also like to regain some freedom of movement so that she can go out a few more times. But this is not the most important thing for women. “Ultimately you really want to be with people who are dear to you. That is also a very nice bucket list, isn’t it? “
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