Prophylaxis Strategies for SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection in Adults With Hematological Malignancies in Saudi Arabia: Consensus Statements From the Working Group on COVID‐19 Management in Hematological Malignancies

@article{almansour2026prophylaxis,
  title = {{Prophylaxis Strategies for SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection in Adults With Hematological Malignancies in Saudi Arabia: Consensus Statements From the Working Group on COVID‐19 Management in Hematological Malignancies}},
  author = {Mubarak Al‐Mansour and Ayman Alhejazi and Manal Ahmed Alsaggaf and Hafiz Mosa Malhan and Riad El Fakih and Reyad Dada and Ghazi Saud Alotaibi and Reem S. Almaghrabi and Majid Alshamrani},
  journal = {Cancer Reports},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1002/cnr2.70730},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70730},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Prophylaxis Strategies for SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection in Adults With Hematological Malignancies in Saudi Arabia: Consensus Statements From the Working Group on COVID‐19 Management in Hematological Malignancies
AU  - Mubarak Al‐Mansour
AU  - Ayman Alhejazi
AU  - Manal Ahmed Alsaggaf
AU  - Hafiz Mosa Malhan
AU  - Riad El Fakih
AU  - Reyad Dada
AU  - Ghazi Saud Alotaibi
AU  - Reem S. Almaghrabi
AU  - Majid Alshamrani
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/26
JO  - Cancer Reports
DO  - 10.1002/cnr2.70730
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70730
AB  - Background: Despite the end of the pandemic phase, patients with hematological malignancies (HMs) remain vulnerable to severe COVID‐19 infection and mortality. Prophylaxis strategies, including vaccination and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) like AZD7442, are crucial for protection. In Saudi Arabia, the incidence of HMs has risen, emphasizing the need for locally adapted prophylaxis strategies.  Aims: This consensus provides recommendations for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection prophylaxis in adults with HMs in Saudi Arabia.  Methods: We employed a modified Delphi approach to develop recommendations for minimizing the risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in patients with HMs. A multidisciplinary expert panel of hematologists, oncologists, and infectious disease specialists was formed. The Delphi process involved three voting rounds. Consensus was achieved if there was ≥ 80% agreement.  Results: The present consensus consists of 24 statements. The panel agreed that the currently recommended COVID‐19 vaccination is the frontline prophylactic strategy for SARS‐CoV‐2 prophylaxis or severe COVID‐19 in patients with HMs. They also agreed that patients with HMs should receive at least one booster dose of an updated COVID‐19 vaccine, and that vaccination should not delay scheduled treatment. With regard to patients in the high‐risk group, pre‐exposure long‐acting mAbs may be considered when activity against currently circulating SARS‐CoV‐2 variants has been demonstrated, and the agent is locally available and approved by the relevant regulatory authorities. The mAbs should be started, even if the patient is under treatment. In the case of vaccinated patients, the long‐acting mAbs should be administered at least 2 weeks after vaccination.  Conclusion: There is a need for tailored prophylactic strategies to protect high‐risk immunocompromised patients from COVID‐19. Key recommendations include the need for booster doses of the updated vaccines, according to national availability, and the use of long‐acting mAbs for pre‐exposure prophylaxis, only when activity against circulating variants has been demonstrated, and the product is locally available and approved by the relevant regulatory authority.
SN  - 2573-8348
ER  -