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Society evaluating COVID-19 Vaccine

December 10, 2020

Safety for People with MS

We don’t know if people with MS were allowed to participate in the vaccine clinical trials. Until we have more definitive information about whether and how many people with MS participated, we are not able to say with certainty how safe and effective these vaccines will be for people living with MS.

Who is Evaluating

The National MS Society has convened a group of experts to provide guidance for people living with MS when making decisions around the safety, efficacy and the timing of COVID-19 vaccines with certain disease modifying therapies. Because this guidance cannot be based on data from clinical trials in MS, it will be based on information about how the various vaccines work, the immune changes that occur in MS and from disease modifying therapies.
 
This guidance will be broad initially and detailed considerations will be added over time as more is learned from scientific studies with the vaccine. This effort is being led by the Nancy Sicotte, MD (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) who is the Chair of the Society’s National Medical Advisory Committee, and below is a list of other experts on the team:
  • Brenda Banwell, MD—pediatric MS expert from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Amit Bar-Or, MD, FRCP, FAAN, FANA—immunology and MS expert from University of Pennsylvania
  • Jorge Correale, MD—infections, vaccines and MS expert from Raul Carrea Institute for Neurological Research, FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Anne Cross, MD—MS and B cell expert from Washington University
  • Jaime Imitola, MD, FAAN—progressive, late onset and minorities with MS expert from University of Connecticut
  • Dorlan Kimbrough, MD—immunology and MS expert from Duke University
  • Avindra Nath, MD—neurovirology and MS expert from National Institutes of Health
  • Scott Newsome, DO—immunology and MS expert from Johns Hopkins University and President of the Consortium of MS Centers
  • Nancy Sicotte, MD—immunology and MS expert from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Penny Smyth, MD, FRCPC, immunology and MS expert from the University of Alberta, Canada
  • Rachael Stacom, MS, ANP-BC, MSCN—long-term care and MS expert from Independence Care System)
The Society has now issued recommendations about the COVID-19 vaccine.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalMSsociety.org, Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.

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© 2024 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its Identification Number (EIN) is 13-5661935.