# Impact of COVID‐19 on Hematologic Cancer Patients: Insights From the Late Pandemic Phase

## TL;DR

This study shows that hematologic cancer patients still face high risks from COVID-19, even after widespread vaccination and during the late pandemic phase.

## Contribution

The study provides updated insights into the risks and outcomes of vaccinated hematologic cancer patients during the late pandemic phase.

## Key findings

- 22.4% of vaccinated hematologic cancer patients with COVID-19 died, with 11.8% dying within 30 days.
- Despite high vaccination rates, 23.5% of patients experienced severe or critical illness.
- Mortality rates decreased over time but remained high among those with critical infections.

## Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic significantly increased mortality risks for individuals with hematological malignancies.

We conducted a single‐center observational study, focusing on the late pandemic phase of the infection (2022–2023), to identify risk factors associated with COVID‐19 outcomes in vaccinated patients with hematological malignancies.

Eighty‐five COVID‐19 cases were recorded among patients with hematological malignancies, primarily Multiple Myeloma (MM) (38.8%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (10.6%) and Non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) (35.3%). Despite a high COVID‐19 vaccination rate (97.6%), severe/critical illness occurred in 23.5% of patients. The overall COVID‐19‐related mortality rate was 22.4%, with a 30‐day mortality rate of 11.8%. Although mortality rates significantly decreased over the observation time (27.7% vs. 16.7%), this trend was not confirmed in critical infection carriers.

Our data confirm that, despite a reduction in critical infections and overall mortality rates over time, patients with hematological malignancies remain at high risk during the endemic phase of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.