Covid-19 vaccines and DMTs?

[Jennaly16]

This is interesting to follow as i feel each dr has a different opinion. When i went to my appt at the end of summer the first thing my neuro said was "you know you can't get the vaccine when it comes out right?". The PA i usually work with kind of gave me a "we will talk another time " look. So i wonder if it's preference of the neuro or based on actual scientific fact. I didn't know why my neuro would say that as a vaccine wasn't developed at the time to know what was in it. My fiance assumed that maybe because the vaccine is a steroid for the immune system and if i'm on a medication to calm my immune system they don't want a steroid to amp it. But who knows. We are not the drs

I'm curious to see if there was a change in opinion and how people react!

[pennstater]

Good News! The NMSS has commissioned a panel to provide guidance on covid-19 vaccines for MS patients, including DMT guidance. The first guidance is to be issued in January 2021.

Here's that announcement and a link to pages for updates.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Abo...-Living-with-M

[swpanther1]

I've been on Rebif for almost 20 years and have had a flu shot every year for the past 10 years (I get the "quad" shot which is just a little 'higher up' than the regular flu shot; it is not live). One thing I have always done is take a dose of Dayquil 30 minutes before I go for the shot; that helps me keep any side effects (which are low-grade fever, minor aches, sore arm) away. I plan to get the Covid shot, but not sure where I would fall on the priority level...and is the level decided by each state's governors or Federal (definitely hospital workers, first responders are priority). Is there a site to check the prioritizing? My Lord, what a year this has been...

[swpanther1]

I didn't read recent posts; my question was already answered....**sigh**

[Jennaly16]

Good News! The NMSS has commissioned a panel to provide guidance on covid-19 vaccines for MS patients, including DMT guidance. The first guidance is to be issued in January 2021.

Here's that announcement and a link to pages for updates.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Abo...-Living-with-M

Thank you for sharing!

[Mamabug]

Good News! The NMSS has commissioned a panel to provide guidance on covid-19 vaccines for MS patients, including DMT guidance. The first guidance is to be issued in January 2021.

Here's that announcement and a link to pages for updates.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Abo...-Living-with-M

Thanks! I've assumed that the vaccine would be important for me and that I would get it when I'm eligible. But, I'll be following this.

[palmtree]

This is a good question. With the stronger treatments like Ocrevus and Tysabri that are powerful immune suppressants there is always the possibility that your body could act strangely to the shot.

From everything I have read about the way they engineered the vaccine it is really sophisticated. Since they are not injecting live (or dead) viruses I am nit too worried about the safety. I have allergies so I might wait to see if allergic reactions develop.

What could be possible is that our immune systems don’t create the antibodies that the vaccine is designed to create and we wouldn’t get the same level of immunity.

However, for many years I have religiously gotten vaccinated for the flu. It has usually protected me except for one time that I can remember.

[sing_a_long]

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 take Gilenya and my neurologist said that at this stage the Pfizer vaccine seems like it will be safe because it is an RNA based vaccine (as opposed to a live vaccine).

[oceanpride]

I heard on the news tonight that it wasn’t approved for children or immune compromised people yet. ?

[pennstater]

I heard on the news tonight that it wasn’t approved for children or immune compromised people yet. ?

I have heard that as well. I would love to know their definition of immune compromised. I am on Tysabri, which may be labeled immune compromised, but every neuro I have had, has said it is not a true suppressant, but a targeted action on t-cells.

So is it chemo and other drugs that wipe out your immune system or even ones that change how your immune system works?

[oceanpride]

Yes Pennstater. I think we are going to have to question these things. The trouble is, there are way more answers than questions. I don’t mean to be skeptical but I just think there was so much political pressure on everyone that maybe corners could have been cut. When things sound too good to be true, then I always stop and scratch my head. It’s just my nature and I don’t mean to be like that ,and I’m trying not to be , but I guess I just can’t help it.

[Mamabug]

I plan to contact my MS Specialist and find out her recommendation. Has anyone specifically spoken to their doctor about this yet? Or, maybe they'll wait for the NMSS guidelines too.

[rsinger]

Answering to Mamabug. I had my annual neurology appointment in November. I asked my doctor about getting the vaccine when it becomes available. He said I could get it. Not a problem for patients taking Tecfidera.

[Mamabug]

I plan to get the vaccine too. I'm no longer on any DMT. This was the office's response when I contacted them on their Patient Portal.

• Dr. Lynch is ok with you receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. At this point Dr. Lynch have no reason to think that there will be a problem with either the Pfizer or Moderna Vaccines.

[Jules A]

I'm on the immunomodulator Copaxone and in my particular case MS specialist said I am able to get either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. I'm scheduled to get it through work next month.