Is the COVID vaccine safe for patients with MS?

Protection against the coronavirus is imperative for all of us. The vaccine has offered hundreds of thousands of people an added layer of protection in this fight… But how do you protect yourself from a global virus when your immune system is already at odds with your own nervous system? Walter Gefrom, MS awareness advocate, shares a quick rundown on the safety and efficacy of the COVID vaccine for patients with MS.

Will the vaccine cause an MS relapse or flare-up?

The COVID vaccine will not cause a flare-up. Since Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, many patients are concerned that the vaccine could awaken a flare-up. Neurologists have unanimously agreed that this is highly unlikely. However, based on your form of the disease, you should consult your doctor before proceeding with the vaccination.

Will the COVID vaccine cause a reaction with MS DMTs?

Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) intended to slow down the progression of MS often focus directly on the immune system. This has some patients wondering if DMTs, such as Ocrevus and Tysabri, which target the immune system and its impact on the patient’s myelin sheath, will render the COVID vaccine useless.

Should I get the vaccine before or after starting a DMT?

Doctors are recommending that if you are not already on a DMT, you should receive the vaccine prior to starting an administration schedule. If you are on a DMT, it is possible that the medication could deplete some of the vaccine’s effectiveness. For example, some patients on Ocrevus who have taken the vaccine are not showing presence of COVID antibodies in their system. However, this does not mean that the vaccine has not ‘taken’ at all… In the event of a global pandemic, any extra protection against this virus can be life-saving.

As always, this is not medical advice. Walter Gefrom is not a trained medical professional and as such, this information should not be taken as medical advice. If you are interested in learning more about the COVID vaccine, Gefrom strongly encourages you to reach out to your Primary Care Physician (PCP), neurologist and any other professionals within your health network.