CLL Advocates Network Statement

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and CLL patients
Statement of the CLL Advocates Network
Date: 08 February 2024

The CLL Advocates Network (CLLAN) wishes to provide advice relevant for CLL patients. This statement will serve to signpost readers to reliable linked sources that are frequently updated.

CLLAN makes every effort to ensure the information provided herein is accurate as of the date it is posted. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

The CLLAN coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and CLL patients Statement of 25 January 2022, provides principals and information sources that remain relevant today for CLL patients in a post-pandemic world.

CLLAN is acting secretariat and is leading work of the International COVID-19 Blood Cancer Coalition (ICBCC) of patient organisations to address the specific impact of COVID-19 on immunocompromised blood cancer patients (both acute and chronic), like those living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and other Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs).

Since its initiation the ICBCC has been focusing on the changing landscape of the COVID-19 health crisis and supporting patients, clinicians, researchers, policy-makers, and the general public with tools and recommendations.

While COVID-19 has become a less significant issue for most people in the general population, immunocompromised blood cancer patients such as those living with CLL remain at elevated risk with some profound effects on their lives, forcing the CLL advocacy community to constantly shift its approach and messaging.

To address this situation and follow on from the CLLAN 2022 Statement and the previous version of the ICBCC Joint Patient Impact Statement, CLLAN support the most recent ICBCC patient impact statement and recommendations (31st May 2023) discussing how to help immunocompromised patients navigate Covid-19 in a post-pandemic world.

In February 2024 the ICBCC launched a new booklet “Navigating a post-pandemic world: A guide for immunocompromised blood cancer patients“. This provides practical tips and recommendations to empower patients when making decisions to improve their quality of life. The aim of this guide is to help with navigating and managing risks arising from the combination of a compromised immune system and possible COVID-19 infection. The recommendations herein may also be applicable to other types of infection.