National Multiple Sclerosis Society Releases COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has published guidance for COVID-19 vaccination, recommending that most patients with relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) receive the vaccine as soon as it is available to them.

The panel of experts who developed the guidance stated that the available vaccines for COVID-19 do not contain live virus and are unlikely to lead to an MS relapse or worsening of chronic MS symptoms. “The risk of getting COVID-19 far outweighs any risk of having an MS relapse from the vaccine,” the panel wrote.

The NMSS emphasized the urgency of receiving the vaccine among high-risk populations with MS who have increased odds of hospitalization due to COVID-19, with risk factors including:

• Older age
• Higher level of physical disability
• Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity
• Presence of certain medical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart and lung disease, and pregnancy

The guidance was also endorsed by the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, among other organizations.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:
COVID-19 vaccine guidance for people living with MS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Updated on January 13, 2021. Accessed January 15, 2021. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/multiple-sclerosis-and-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-guidance