Covid-19 vaccines and DMTs?

[pennstater]

I know this question may be premature, but I was wondering if anyone knows what approach will be taken regarding recommendations for getting a covid-19 vaccine?

So for example, in the US, will the AMA, the NMSS, or another organization determine if it is safe to get while taking a specific DMT?

I know for me, while on Tysabri, I can not get a live vaccine. The vaccine by Pfizer does not appear to be a live virus, but an RNA based vaccine, which may be the first to try this approach. But given that I take a DMT that alters my immune system, will this be safe?

I am praying it doesn't come down to each individual neuro making their own recommendation for different vaccines that may be approved. Any knowledge or thoughts on how this will work?

[oceanpride]

I have the very same question into my Dr about this. I am due for my maintenance dose of Ocrevus early January, around the same time as when the vaccine is forecast to be available. My wife got the flu shot
about three weeks ago and took quite ill from it. She is still not back to herself. I am afraid of Covid, vaccines, Ocrevus,and MS. Quite the predicament. I think there should be a lot of discussion on this. Thanks for putting this out.

[oceanpride]

They got back to me on this.
said it wasn’t a live vaccine. They recommend getting it...however either eight weeks before my infusion or eight weeks after. They also said I would not get the full benefits of it but that it would be of some benefit to me.

[pennstater]

They got back to me on this.
said it wasn’t a live vaccine. They recommend getting it...however either eight weeks before my infusion or eight weeks after. They also said I would not get the full benefits of it but that it would be of some benefit to me.

Thanks for the update. Curious to know why he is thought you wouldn't get the full benefit from it. Interesting to hear.

I am still on a 4 week Tysabri schedule. I know anytime I get the flu shot or any vaccine/booster, they always recommend in the middle.

Sorry to hear your wife had a reaction to the flu shot. Does she react every year or just something this year caught her? I get one every year since not a live virus shot and am grateful that I tolerate it well.

[Marco]

Curious to know why he is thought you wouldn't get the full benefit from it. Interesting to hear.

All b-cell depleting drugs reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, especially if taken too close to the infusion date. This is in the prescribing information for each drug.

I'm now trying to go to annual doses of Rituximab so my ideal vaccination window would occur in February or March. That said, I am not sure I would take the covid-19 vaccine even if widely available in March.

Here's a documented case that's somewhat disconcerting:
https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.c...t-case-report/

[pennstater]

Thanks Marco. Makes sense. I wasn't thinking about the drugs that target B-cells. The case you referenced was eye opening.

I will have to discuss with my neuro, since Tysabri is T-cell targeted. There are so many variables. That's why I was hoping someone would be publishing general guidelines for each DMT. I guess in the absence of that, it is on us to review with our neuro.

[oceanpride]

Hello Pennstater.
Marco has explained well.
My wife just came down with the common cold right after getting the flu shot. This was her first time getting the vaccine. Oddly enough they just recalled an entire batch here in New Brunswick because of neurological reactions. They are investigating further. I haven’t taken the vaccine and never caught her cold....yet. I’m really not sure what to make of it all.
We were both so sick with the flu in early spring that we just thought that we should get it.
From what I’ve been able to piece together, it doesn’t appear it would do me much good anyway. Possibly the COVID one wouldn’t help either. And maybe it wouldn’t hurt , I’m just not sure.

[someone33]

I plan to get the vaccine the first day I can. I’m on copaxone so I am pretty sure the vaccine will be just fine since my meds don’t mess with my immune system. Idk since I don’t really have a neurologist right now and won’t see her till March and plan to be vaccinated by then

[limppy]

Hi i am on Mavenclad which depletes B and T cells I just asked my neuro doc about vacine he said says call him when available and we will do blood work and make determination then but he is leaning for it .. I really do not expect shots till mid summer for us common people .

[pennstater]

ocean pride - sorry, thought I responded. I hope your wife is over her cold and you never did catch it. Did you get the flu shot then? I always do and for the first time in 20 years, my husband did too.

someone33 - Likewise, if I am told it is ok for me to get, I will be in line!

limppy - sounds like a good plan by your neuro, taking an individual approach based on bloodwork. I was hoping that neurological diagnosis might fall into high risk and bump us up in priority. I guess we will see.

[Mamabug]

I've been following this. Lots of helpful info.

[BlueIsTheBest]

I did my first round Lemtrada last year (Oct '19). My neurologist has postponed my second round until after there is a vaccine available because if I did the Lemtrada it would be a long while before I would be able to get it. The fact that this vaccine has been developed so fast does make me nervous about taking it but I've decided to let my GP and neurologist tell me if they think it's safe and go with that. I don't want to just go with my "feeling" on this one.

Limppy - I think the vaccine will be available for us MSers sooner than later. I believe in the US it's being distributed by State but from what I understand, healthcare workers & essential workers will be first then older people and those living in nursing homes then those with health conditions and I believe MS is one of them. From what my husband was reading, I would qualify for the second group. I am not sure how much those plans have been finalized. I am sure they will be adjusted as they know how many vaccines and doses will be available per month.

Take care

[BlueIsTheBest]

Oh and my whole family got the flu shot again this year. We all had very sore arms but no reactions other than that.

[Mamabug]

I plan to get the vaccine the first day I can. I’m on copaxone so I am pretty sure the vaccine will be just fine since my meds don’t mess with my immune system. Idk since I don’t really have a neurologist right now and won’t see her till March and plan to be vaccinated by then

I think you're right; shouldn't be a problem. I was on Copaxone for 11 years and got the flu shot each of those years without a hitch.

[MS TOO]

[QUOTE=Mamabug;n50

I think you're right; shouldn't be a problem. I was on Copaxone for 11 years and got the flu shot each of those years without a hitch.[/QUOTE]

I am also on Copaxone and had my annual neuro visit today. He is advising that I get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available and he is working with the HMO, Kaiser, to try and prioritize his MS patients to get the vaccine when it comes in. He said the other specialists are also trying to get their patients on the priority list for the vaccine so we'll see how soon it will be made available. I think I had Covid back in February and my primary care Dr. also thinks so but apparently Kaiser isn't testing for the anti-bodies. Given how sick I was, I don't have a problem taking the vaccine as I don't want to go through that again!