COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: What we have learnt by February 2021

Anat Achiron; Mark Dolev; Shay Menascu; Daniela-Noa Zohar; Sapir Dreyer-Alster; Shmuel Miron; Emanuel Shirbint; David Magalashvili; Shlomo Flechter; Uri Givon; Diana Guber; Yael Stern; Michael Polliack; Rina Falb; Michael Gurevich

doi:10.1177/13524585211003476

Anat Achiron, Mark Dolev, Shay Menascu, Daniela-Noa Zohar, Sapir Dreyer-Alster, Shmuel Miron, Emanuel Shirbint ^iD, David Magalashvili, Shlomo Flechter, Uri Givon, Diana Guber, Yael Stern, Michael Polliack, Rina Falb, Michael Gurevich

Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Abstract

Background Since vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) became available, risks related to vaccinating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) need to be carefully assessed. Objective Characterize safety and occurrence of immediate relapses following COVID-19 vaccination in a large cohort of MS patients. Methods We assessed the safety of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination in adult MS patients. Results Between 20 December 2020 and 25 January 2021, 555 MS patients received the first dose of BNT162b2 vaccine and 435 received the second dose. There were three cases of COVID-19 infection encountered after the first dose. Safety profile of COVID-19 vaccine was characterized by pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache. No increased risk of relapse activity was noted over a median follow-up of 20 and 38 days after first and second vaccine doses, respectively. The rate of patients with acute relapse was 2.1% and 1.6% following the first and second doses, respectively, similar to the rate in non-vaccinating patients during the corresponding period. Mild increase in the rate of adverse events was noted in younger patients (18-55 years), among patients with lower disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ⩽3.0), and in patients treated with immunomodulatory drugs. Conclusion COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccine proved safe for MS patients. No increased risk of relapse activity was noted.

Keywords — multiple sclerosis, COVID-19, vaccination, adverse events, acute relapse

1.Research problem

Risks related to vaccinating patients with multiple sclerosis against COVID-19 needed to be carefully assessed as vaccination became available.

2.Contribution

Safety and immediate-relapse occurrence characterised after BNT162b2 vaccination in a large MS cohort (555 first-dose, 435 second-dose patients).

3.Architecture, methodology & evidence status

Evidence & statusThis is a peer-reviewed journal article published in Multiple Sclerosis Journal (2021). The full text and record of version are held by the publisher; this page is an archival record with a link to the official version.

The abstract above is the authoritative summary of the work as posted at the official source. This archival record does not add results, figures or claims beyond those in the published/posted manuscript. For the complete methodology, results and references, consult the official record.

4.Related research

Part of the series Clinical AI and Multiple Sclerosis Research.

5.How to cite

Choose a format below. BibTeX and RIS files are also downloadable directly.

Achiron, A., Dolev, M., Menascu, S., Zohar, D., Dreyer-Alster, S., Miron, S., Shirbint, E., Magalashvili, D., Flechter, S., Givon, U., Guber, D., Stern, Y., Polliack, M., Falb, R., & Gurevich, M. (2021). COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: What we have learnt by February 2021. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/13524585211003476

Anat Achiron, Mark Dolev, Shay Menascu, Daniela-Noa Zohar, Sapir Dreyer-Alster, Shmuel Miron, Emanuel Shirbint, et al. 2021. “COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: What we have learnt by February 2021.” Multiple Sclerosis Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/13524585211003476.

@article{shirbint2021msvaccinationfebruary2021,
  title = {COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: What we have learnt by February 2021},
  author = {Anat Achiron and Mark Dolev and Shay Menascu and Daniela-Noa Zohar and Sapir Dreyer-Alster and Shmuel Miron and Emanuel Shirbint and David Magalashvili and Shlomo Flechter and Uri Givon and Diana Guber and Yael Stern and Michael Polliack and Rina Falb and Michael Gurevich},
  year = {2021},
  doi = {10.1177/13524585211003476},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/13524585211003476},
  note = {Peer-reviewed journal article}
}

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Anat Achiron
AU  - Mark Dolev
AU  - Shay Menascu
AU  - Daniela-Noa Zohar
AU  - Sapir Dreyer-Alster
AU  - Shmuel Miron
AU  - Emanuel Shirbint
AU  - David Magalashvili
AU  - Shlomo Flechter
AU  - Uri Givon
AU  - Diana Guber
AU  - Yael Stern
AU  - Michael Polliack
AU  - Rina Falb
AU  - Michael Gurevich
TI  - COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: What we have learnt by February 2021
PY  - 2021
DO  - 10.1177/13524585211003476
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1177/13524585211003476
N1  - Peer-reviewed journal article
ER  -

← Return to the complete research archive