Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in patients with benign and malignant blood disorders

Patients with moderate to severe immunosuppression, a condition that is common in many he-matologic diseases because of the pathology itself or its treatment, are at high risk for COVID-19 and its complications. While empirical data are sometimes conflicting, this heightened risk has been confirmed in multiple well-done studies for patients with hematologic malignancies, particularly those with B-cell lymphoid malignancies who received lymphocytotoxic therapies, those with a history of recent hematopoietic stem cell transplant and chimeric antigen receptor T -cell therapy, and, to a lesser degree, those with hemoglobinopathies. Patients with immuno-suppression need to have a lower threshold for avoiding indoor public spaces where they are unable to effectively keep a safe distance from others, and wear a high-quality well-fitting mask, especially when community levels are not low. They should receive an enhanced initial vaccine regimen and additional boosting. Therapeutic options are available and immunosuppressed pa-tients are prioritized per the NIH.