Which MS Patients Should Be Prioritized for Vaccination? / Should You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine If You Have MS?

Stuart Schlossman#COVID-19, Multiple Sclerosis

Key Takeaways

  1. Some people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and are therefore eligible for early vaccination.
  2. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are safe for people with MS. The organization has not yet made a decision about the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
  3. If you have MS, talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated—especially if you are being treated with disease-modifying therapies (including Ocrevus, Lemtrada, Rituximab, Mavenclad, and Kesimpta) which may reduce the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine.

If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), you might be wondering if the condition places you at increased risk for COVID-19 and whether you will be eligible to receive a vaccine soon. While the answer is usually yes, you will need to discuss the vaccine with your doctor, especially if you are receiving certain MS treatments.

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Are People With MS at Higher Risk for COVID-19?

Julie Fiol, RN, the director of MS information and resources for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), tells Verywell that some of the indirect effects of MS and its treatment can increase a person’s risk for COVID-19.

Although MS itself isn’t a risk factor for COVID-19, Fiol says that “certain factors associated with” it are. These include obesity, severe disability, heart conditions, and lung conditions.

Another consideration is disease-modifying therapy (DMT) adherence. DMTs are the prescription medications, injections, and infusions that can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of relapses,1 but also dampen the immune system. This could increase COVID-19 risk.


Which MS Patients Should Be Prioritized for Vaccination?
Considering these risks, NMSS is advocating for certain subgroups of people with MS to be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Fiol says that some people with MS are more vulnerable to infection, illness, and death than others. Subgroups at higher risk include:
  • Men with MS
  • People with progressive MS
  • Black and possibly South Asian people with MS
  • People over the age of 60 with MS
“Vaccination against COVID-19 is critical for public safety and, especially, the safety of the most vulnerable among us,” Fiol says. “The authorization of safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 brings us one step closer to eliminating this pandemic.”

Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe for People With MS?

NMSS has deemed the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines safe for use in people with MS. The organization will make a decision about the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine soon.
“We hope to have guidance on the J&J vaccine available to people with MS soon, but it’s too early for me to predict a date,” Fiol says, adding that members of its Vaccine Advisory Group met on March 4 to review relevant CDC guidelines and FDA data.
In the meantime, if you have MS, Fiol recommends talking to your provider about the particulars of your medical history—including previous vaccination experiences before getting a COVID-19 shot.

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