May Advocate Monthly Update
Dear METAvivor Advocates,
METAvivor submitted written comments to the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) ahead of its May 28, 2026 meeting on the 2026–2027 COVID-19 vaccine formula to make one point clear: people living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) cannot be left behind. For those whose immune systems are weakened by cancer and treatment, access to updated COVID-19 vaccines for all who want them is not optional—it is a critical safeguard.
METAvivor is concerned that current FDA approval excludes many people under 65 without underlying conditions from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, even when they live with someone at high risk of severe illness. Because immunocompromised individuals may not mount a full immune response to a vaccine, access to vaccination for healthy family members and caregivers becomes an essential line of defense.
That is why METAvivor is urging FDA to authorize an updated vaccine that reflects current variants and to restore universal COVID-19 vaccine approval for everyone ages 6 months and older, regardless of medical history. We are also calling on FDA and other federal agencies to release recently blocked vaccine safety and effectiveness studies so patients and families can make decisions grounded in transparent, science-based evidence. For people living with MBC, timely and affordable access to updated vaccines for all those who want them offers important protection as they navigate treatment and fight for the highest possible quality of life.
You can read our comment letter here.
Sincerely,
The METAvivor Advocacy Team