The wellbeing of people with lymphoma and their caregivers is the top priority of the Lymphoma Research Foundation. The Foundation encourages patients, survivors, and their caregivers to take information included on the COVID-19 Learning Center and related questions back to their healthcare providers as a way of creating a dialogue and partnership about their lymphoma diagnosis and treatment. This page was last updated on October 1, 2025. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people use core prevention strategies to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. These include:   

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines: Although vaccinated people can become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines significantly lowers the risk of getting very sick, being hospitalized, or death. 

• Practice good hygiene: This includes covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. 

• Take steps for cleaner air: This includes bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. Virus particles do not build up in the air outdoors as much as they do indoors. 

In addition to vaccination, the Foundation encourages patients with lymphoma and their caregivers to take preventative measures against COVID-19 illness based on their individual risk and personal comfort levels. These include wearing a mask when possible and avoiding large groups during periods of elevated community transmission.  For the best protection against viral infection, consider using a KF94, KN95 or N95 mask. 

The CDC provides up-to-date information on levels of COVID-19 community spread. For the most detailed view of COVID-19 levels in your community, use the Community Transmission view in the COVID Data Tracker. 

The CDC and health experts have also determined that staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and following preventive measures are especially important if you are older or have one or more health conditions, including lymphoma/CLL. For additional information on COVID-19 and people with cancer, visit https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coronavirus/coronavirus-cancer-patient-information.  

If a patient does become infected with COVID-19 they should contact their health care provider promptly. Note that treatment may help lower the risk of severe illness, but it needs to be started within a few days of symptoms beginning. Patients should also undertake precautions to prevent disease spread, including staying home and away from others if you have respiratory symptoms. 

 The Lymphoma Research Foundation recognizes that members of our community may require additional educational materials and services to make informed decisions about their health. We encourage anyone in need of support to talk with their oncologist or contact the Foundation Helpline (800-500-9976 or helpline@lymphoma.org).

The Lymphoma Research Foundation Helpline is available to assist patients and their loved ones so that they can feel empowered to make the most informed decisions about their treatment and long-term care, taking the evolving COVID-19 pandemic into consideration. The Helpline team can also connect patients to financial assistance, clinical trial information, and emotional support resources.

The Educational Forum on Lymphoma, a free virtual program hosted by the Foundation featured a session titled Update on Food and Drug Administration Guidelines for Vaccination. To learn more about this session, visit the Foundation’s website.

You may contact the Lymphoma Research Foundation Helpline at 800-500-9976 or helpline@lymphoma.org with any of your lymphoma-related questions Monday through Friday from 9:30 am – 7:30 pm Eastern Time (ET).