Safety of the BNT162b2 COVID‐19 vaccine in multiple sclerosis (MS): Early experience from a tertiary MS center in Israel. (2nd August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lotan, Itay; Wilf‐Yarkoni, Adi; Friedman, Yitzhak; Stiebel‐Kalish, Hadas; Steiner, Israel; Hellmann, Mark A.
• Is Part Of: European journal of neurology. Volume 28:Number 11(2021)
• Page Start: 3742
• Page End: 3748
• Publication Date: 2021-08-02
• Subjects: adverse events -- COVID‐19 -- multiple sclerosis -- safety -- vaccine; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ene.15028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-5101

Abstract

Abstract: Background and purpose: Although the COVID‐19 vaccines are currently recommended for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), the fact that they were not specifically tested in people with MS raises uncertainty regarding their safety in this population. The purpose of this study was to report real‐life safety data of the BNT162b2 COVID‐19 vaccine in a cohort of MS patients. Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed to 425 MS patients. Participants were asked general demographic and disease‐related questions and specific questions regarding the safety profile of the COVID‐19 vaccine. Results: Of the 425 MS patients, 262 completed the questionnaire. The median (range) participant age was 42 (22–79) years, 199 participants were women (75.9%), and 66 participants (25.2%) had associated comorbidities. A total of 198 participants (75.6%) were treated with disease‐modifying therapies. In all, 239 participants (91.2% of the responders) had received the BNT162b2 COVID‐19 vaccine. Of these, 182 (76.1%) were aged <55 years, and 57 (23.9%) were aged >55 years. Adverse events were reported by 136 participants (56.9%; 52.5% of those aged <55 years and 40.3% of those aged >55 years; p = 0.1517) and 36 participants (15.1%) reported new or worsening neurological symptoms following the vaccination, the most frequent being sensory disturbances (21 participants, 58.3%). Most symptoms occurred within the first 24 h after vaccination and resolved within 3 days. A total of 28 participants (77.8%) did not require any medication to treat their symptoms. Conclusions: This survey indicates an overall favorable safety profile of the BNT162b2 vaccine in people with MS. These data should be confirmed in further prospective, large‐scale studies. Abstract : This study indicates an overall favorable safety profile of the BNT162b2 COVID‐19 vaccine in people with MS. The spectrum of adverse events reported in our study is comparable to that reported in the general population. Adverse events among MS patients were more frequent in the young‐age group (< 55 years old) compared to individuals older than 55 years old. The overall rate of adverse events may be lower in MS patients treated with DMTs. The rate of new or worsening neurological symptoms is relatively low (15.1%), with most events being of mild severity, not requiring specific treatment, and resolving within a few days.