COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis on Disease-Modifying Therapy. Issue 4 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wolf, Andrew; Alvarez, Enrique
• Is Part Of: Neurology. Volume 11:Issue 4(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- United States -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000001088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2163-0402

Abstract

Abstract : The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in challenges for the practice of neurology. One major concern is how to best manage patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are on disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). DMTs frequently have immunosuppressive properties that both increase the risk for COVID-19 and potentially reduce the immunologic response to vaccination in a group already vulnerable to infection due to neurologic deficits. Here, we review early data on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with MS and discuss what is known about vaccine effectiveness in those on anti-CD20 and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agents, which are proposed to have attenuating effects based on their mechanisms of action. In addition, we provide recommendations to best use novel COVID-19 vaccines in this population and highlight what information may better inform vaccine strategies in the future.