A Vaccine (CIMAvax-EGF) for the Prevention of Lung Cancer Development or Recurrence

Inclusion Criteria: * Confirmed no evidence of cancer on computed tomography (CT) scan within 6 months prior to starting treatment * Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of =\< 2 * Patients must have platelets \>= 100 x 10\^9/L * Participants of child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraceptive methods (e.g., hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry * Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately * Participant must understand the investigational nature of this study and sign an Independent Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board approved written informed consent form prior to receiving any study related procedure * PATIENTS AT HIGH-RISK FOR LUNG CANCER COHORT ONLY (COHORT A) * Must have documented at least one risk factor for lung cancer which includes: * Moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) defined as FEV1/FVC ratio \<=75% * Positive family history of lung cancer defined as a first degree relative * Low body mass index (BMI) * History of pneumonia within the last 5 years prior to enrollment * Occupational exposure such as asbestos, radon and any other that investigator would deem high risk * Must have quit smoking =\< 15 years ago or be a current smoker * Must have at least 30 pack year smoking history * Must have documented pulmonary function test within the last 3 years prior to enrollment. If a patient cannot tolerate a pulmonary function test, an incentive spirometry will be acceptable in place of a pulmonary function test * LUNG CANCER SURVIVOR COHORT ONLY (COHORT B) * 1\. If patient received surgery or any adjuvant therapy for initial diagnosis of lung cancer, it must have been completed at least 3 months prior to enrollment. Prior surgery or any therapy is not required for eligibility * Confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stage IA through 3A at initial diagnosis Exclusion Criteria: * Clinically inappropriate to have a bronchoscopy procedure * Known uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, history of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * Pregnant or nursing female participants * Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements * Any condition which in the investigator's opinion deems the participant an unsuitable candidate to receive study drug * Received an investigational agent within 30 days prior to enrollment * Has known immunosuppressive disease (e.g. human immunodeficiency virus \[HIV\], acquired immunodeficiency syndrome \[AIDS\] or other immune depressing disease). Testing is not mandatory * Patient has known hypersensitivity to the components of the study drugs or any analogs * History of autoimmune disorder, with exception of patients with vitiligo or endocrine-related autoimmune conditions receiving appropriate hormonal supplementation who are eligible. Systemic use of immunosuppressant drugs such as steroids (except as hormone replacement therapy or short-course supportive medication such as chemotherapy or drug allergy, etc.), azathioprine, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, etc. within 4 weeks before recruitment * The following special populations are excluded from this study: * Cognitively impaired adults/adults with impaired decision-making capacity * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) * Prisoners * Pregnant women