7 Tips for Safer Travel While COVID Restrictions Ease

Take These 7 Precautions to Protect Yourself While Traveling

While much of the world is moving on from COVID restrictions, people with cancer still must navigate their travel plans carefully. Many may be immunocompromised because of current or recent treatment, organ or stem cell transplant, or because they take immunosuppressing drugs. Some people with cancer may have a greater chance of getting COVID-19 or suffering severe consequences from an infection.

To get the answers we need, we asked Shmuel Shoham, MD, an expert in infectious diseases and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, for advice. He has special expertise managing infections in people who are immunocompromised or who have had organ transplants.

Dr. Shoham pointed out that not everyone with cancer is the same when it comes to COVID risk and travel. “It’s important to consider the whole picture. Other risk factors, such as a person’s age and other chronic diseases they may have are important to consider. The type of cancer matters, too – there is increased risk with a cancer that is being actively treated or when people are taking certain drug regimens, such as rituximab (Rituxan). And, in general, blood cancers put a person at higher risk.”

He offered 7 specific tips on how to travel with less risk:

Tip #1: Vaccination is the key to safe travel

You (and all of the people around you) should be fully vaccinated and boosted before you visit together. While many with cancer, such as those with solid tumors, may get strong protection from vaccines, people with blood cancers or those on immunosuppressing drugs may not respond as well. These individuals, as well as those who are older or have other chronic diseases, need to remain vigilant and continue to take extra precautions against COVID-19. Be sure to follow the guidelines for getting extra doses of the vaccine, too. The CDC recommends 3 primary doses of the vaccine and 1 booster for those who are immunocompromised. See the guidelines here.

Tip #2: Talk to a trusted clinician about Evusheld

Evusheld (formerly AZD7442) is a medicine that may provide added protection for people at high risk. It offers another layer of protection, but it is not an invincibility cloak! Evusheld may improve the immune response for people at higher risk, but it is not a replacement for the vaccine series. Demand has outpaced supply in some areas so far, but here is a useful resource to find out where it may be available in your area.

Tip #3: Plan to socialize outdoors as much as possible

Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds. If you plan indoor get-togethers, open windows and doors, if possible.

Tip #4: Consider wearing a high-quality mask in indoor settings

Even when mask mandates are lifted, consider continuing to wear a mask, especially in indoor settings. If plane travel is planned, wear a mask (and ask any visitors to mask as they travel as well), even if those requirements are lifted. This is especially important if your community, your visitor’s community, or the community you are visiting is at a medium- or high-risk level. (Check here.) Even if you are the only person wearing a mask, this will add more protection, important for those at higher risk. A recent study reported on the effectiveness of mask-wearing in indoor public settings. Wearing a mask, especially an N95 or a KN95, led to a substantially lower chance of a positive COVID test result.

Tip #5: Wash your hands often

Wash with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Tip #6: Consider asking your visitors or those you plan to visit to take rapid tests before getting together

Rapid testing may be helpful in certain situations. This likely depends on the level of risk in the community and whether family or friends are fully vaccinated. For example, if you plan to visit (or be visited by) those with children in school where the school has seen a recent uptick in cases, or by small children who are too young to be vaccinated, rapid testing on the day of a get-together may be important to consider. Many insurance plans now cover the cost of rapid at-home tests, and they can also be obtained for free from the government, so stock up now. (Order here.)

Tip #7: Monitor your health daily

This is especially important for people at higher risk. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, body aches, sore throat, or a loss of taste and smell. If you notice any symptoms, get tested and seek care immediately, even if you don’t feel very sick. If you do end up testing positive, contact a trusted clinician right away. Treatments, including antiviral medicines such as remdesivir (Veklury), Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir), and molnupiravir (MK-4482/EIDD-2801), are now available to help avoid serious illness from COVID-19. For these treatments to be effective, people must take them early – during the very first days after testing positive.

Everyone wants to get back to a more normal life. While COVID-19 guidelines for the general population may not apply fully to those at higher risk, with careful planning, there is still the ability to enjoy travel and visits with family and friends.

Advice from the CDC:

• COVID-19: How to Protect Yourself & Others

• COVID-19: People with Certain Medical Conditions

• COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised People