In our last newsletter, we provided an overview of vaccines against COVID-19. As this is such a high-interest topic, see below for the latest updates in this area.
At present, all people with MS should be advised on COVID-19 risks and preventive measures and all should be recommended to vaccinate as soon as possible with the available vaccines
The individual benefit/risk ratio should always be evaluated by physicians in the management of people with MS, particularly for those treated with immune-depleting DMTs2
There are no particular safety concerns related to the use of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines in people with MS receiving DMT
A recent prospective study including 324 patients with MS who received BNT162b2 vaccine did not detect an increased risk of clinical relapses during the 2-month short-term follow-up after the first vaccine dose
People with MS should receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if it is offered to them
A booster vaccination is given to people when their immune response is likely to have waned over time, usually 6 months or more after being fully vaccinated
Young people aged 12–17 years old with MS should be vaccinated against COVID-191
The importance of COVID-19 vaccination for young people with MS mirrors the advice for this age group in general, as well as the advice for adults with MS. While there is no evidence to date that young people with MS experience more severe COVID-19 infection, vaccination is strongly encouraged
Vaccine hesitancy is common (10–20%) in people with MS, consequent to insufficient knowledge and misconceptions about vaccination and suboptimal vaccine promotion by healthcare professionals who manage these patients. Conscientious and context-specific vaccination counselling is necessary to tackle vaccine hesitancy among people with MS
For more information, please refer to the following articles:
If you would like to read more information in your own language, please refer to material shared by the EMSP Member Societies
Sources:
MS, the Coronavirus and vaccines – updated global advice. MS International Federation, November 2021. Available at https://www.msif.org/news/2020/02/10/the-coronavirus-and-ms-what-you-need-to-know/
Multiple sclerosis, COVID-19 and vaccines: Making the point. Toscano S, et al. Neurol Ther. 2021;10:627-649
mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do not increase the short-term risk of clinical relapses in multiple sclerosis. Di Filippo M, et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2021;327200
Vaccine hesitancy among people with MS. Yap S, et al. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 2021;56:103236
