The impact of COVID-19 and vaccination status on outcomes in veterans with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

COVID-19 infection may significantly increase rates of 60-day mortality and respiratory complications in patients with HNSCC. COVID-19 vaccination between 2 weeks and 6 months prior to infection may decrease severity of respiratory complications but did not show significant mortality benefits in this study. These data highlight the need for surveillance of respiratory infection and vaccination in this vulnerable population.