COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for People Living with MS

Vaccination against COVID-19 is critical for public safety and, especially, the safety of the most vulnerable among us. We encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please review the full guidance below to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and multiple sclerosis.

People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) are seeking peace of mind on the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. In response, the Society convened a group of expert researchers and medical professionals to review the available science and make fact-based recommendations.

While research is underway to learn more about the specific experience of people with MS receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, data on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in those with MS are limited. Our guidance is based on clinical trials of the general population and studies of other vaccines administered to people with MS. Our guidance will be updated as more is learned from scientific studies of the vaccines.

This guidance applies to people with MS ages 12 and older and only for the vaccines authorized for use for their age in the United States, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen/J&J.

The science has shown us that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Like other medical decisions, the decision to get a vaccine is best made in partnership with your healthcare provider. Most people with relapsing and progressive forms of MS should be vaccinated. The risks of COVID-19 outweigh any potential risks from the vaccine. In addition, members of the same household and close contacts should also be vaccinated against COVID-19 when available to decrease the impact of the virus.

People with progressive MS, those who are older, those who have a higher level of physical disability, those with certain medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, heart and lung disease, pregnancy), and Black and Hispanic populations are among groups with the highest risk for hospitalization due to COVID-19. Individuals in these high-risk groups are especially encouraged to get vaccinated.

The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna) require two doses and you need to get both doses to be maximally protected. The vector vaccine (J&J) requires a single dose. Whether you receive the Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna or J&J vaccine, it takes two weeks after being fully vaccinated before you are considered protected.

If you’ve had COVID-19 and recovered, you should also get the vaccine. We don’t know how well protected people are after COVID-19 infection, or how long this protection might last. People who have had COVID-19 infection in the past can get infected again.

None of the available vaccines contain live virus and the vaccines will not cause COVID-19. The vaccines are not likely to trigger an MS relapse or have any impact on long-term disease progression. The risk of getting COVID-19 far outweighs any risk of having an MS relapse from the vaccine. Learn more about how mRNA vaccines (Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna) and vector vaccines (J&J) work from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  
Any vaccine can cause side effects, including a fever. A fever can make your MS symptoms worse temporarily, but they should return to prior levels after the fever is gone. Even if you have side effects, it’s important to get the second dose of the vaccine for it to be effective. 

Any of the three authorized vaccines are safe to get. There is no vaccine preference for those living with MS.

The authorization of safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 brings us one step closer to eliminating this pandemic. In addition to getting vaccinated, the science is settled that wearing a face mask, social distancing and washing your hands are the best ways to slow the spread of the virus. View CDC information on how to protect yourself and others even when you’ve been fully vaccinated. For people with MS, especially those in high-risk groups and those taking a DMT that might reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines, the safest approach is to continue wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and performing regular handwashing.

   
Learn more about the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The National MS Society consulted the following individuals in the development of this guidance:

MS neurologists and experts

• Nancy Sicotte, MD, FAAN—Chair, National MS Society’s National Medical Advisory Committee, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, USA
• Brenda Banwell, MD— Chair of MS International Federation International Medical and Scientific Advisory Board (IMSB) – University of Pennsylvania, USA
• Amit Bar-Or, MD, FRCPC—President, International Society for Neuroimmunology - University of Pennsylvania, USA
• Jorge Correale, MD-- Raul Carrea Institute for Neurological Research, FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Anne Cross, MD, FAAN—Washington University and Secretary of Board of Governors of the Consortium of MS Centers, USA
• Jaime Imitola, MD, FAAN—University of Connecticut, UConn Health, USA
• Dorlan Kimbrough, MD—Duke University, USA
• Avindra Nath, MD—National Institutes of Health/National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, USA
• Scott Newsome, DO, MSCS, FAAN, FANA—Johns Hopkins University and President of the Board of Governors of the Consortium of MS Centers, USA
• Penny Smyth, MD, FRCPC—University of Alberta, Canada
• Rachael Stacom, MS, ANP-BC, MSCN—Independence Care System, USA
   

Staff from MS Partner Organizations

• Julie Fiol, RN, MSCN—National MS Society, USA
• Pamela Kanellis—MS Society of Canada
• Julie Kelndorfer—MS Society of Canada
• Hope Nearhood, MPH, PMP—National MS Society, USA
• Leslie Ritter—National MS Society, USA

This guidance is endorsed by the Consortium of MS Centers, the MS Coalition and other organizations:

• Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis
• Americas Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis
• Can Do Multiple Sclerosis
• Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
• International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses
• International Society of Neuroimmunology
• MS Views and News
• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
• Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
• Multiple Sclerosis International Federation
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• United Spinal Association

• Johns Hopkins Health chat bot - answers general questions about COVID-19 vaccines
• Ask an MS Expert videos:
  • COVID-19 Vaccines: Myths, Facts, and DMT Considerations - February 19, 2021
  • Hábitos de Salud y Bienestar en EM / Actualización de la Vacuna contra el COVID-19 (En español) - 20 de enero de 2021