Why I chose to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu
I'm following current information about MS and those vaccines
Well, it’s that time of the year again: flu season.
I guess you could say it’s COVID-19 season, too, though confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 started increasing in late June here in Kansas City, Missouri, and continued to rise at least through August. Detection of COVID-19 through wastewater viral activity in Missouri is currently “high,” one level below the highest classification of “very high.”
It’s also the time of year to get your influenza vaccine and update your COVID-19 booster.
I made an appointment last week at my local pharmacy and received both vaccines. You can get them at your physician’s office, health department, health and wellness fairs in your community, and almost all community pharmacies.
I’m a pharmacist, so I choose to support my profession by receiving my vaccines at the pharmacy. It’s also what’s most convenient for me. You can walk into most pharmacies without an appointment and receive vaccines, but I know it helps the pharmacy plan their workload if you make an appointment, and you’ll most likely have a shorter wait, too.
Looking to current research for guidance
I’ve spoken to my multiple sclerosis (MS) clinician about the issues surrounding vaccines and MS. Both my MS clinician and data from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) recommend that people with MS should receive vaccines according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s standard vaccine schedule for people ages 19 or older. I consider preventing infections through vaccine use a crucial part of my medical care.
I was concerned about vaccines causing an MS relapse or flare-up. Again, education from my MS clinician and data from the AAN suggest that there’s not an obvious strong relationship, but there also isn’t enough solid scientific information to support or refute that vaccinations trigger or worsen MS flares. If you’re experiencing an MS relapse or flare-up, it’s recommended that you consider waiting until it resolves to receive vaccinations. This scenario didn’t apply to me, so I proceeded with my immunization plans.
Additionally, in September 2019, the AAN released updated information that infections may trigger MS relapses, increase MS radiologic and immunologic activity, and accelerate disease progression. This evidence further solidified my decision to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19.
Another concern I had was, “Are these vaccines going to work and protect me from contracting the flu and COVID-19?” There are data to support that some vaccines might not work well enough to prevent infection for some people with MS who take certain MS medications. That’s true for the influenza vaccine and may also apply to the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters. This information should not be interpreted as the vaccines being completely ineffective, but instead, they may not provide as much protection as seen in someone without MS receiving the same vaccine.
That applies only to people with MS who take specific immunosuppressive medications. My understanding is that the strength of this evidence is low to moderate, depending on which medication you take.
This scenario applied to me because I’ve taken fingolimod (also known by its brand name, Gilenya) for the past eight years. My thought process here was that the vaccine might not work as well for me, and I may be more susceptible to getting the flu or COVID-19 than someone without MS who’s vaccinated. But if I do get these illnesses, maybe I’ll experience a milder version.
And who knows? With the strength of the evidence being low to moderate, maybe I’ll get complete protection, or enough immunity to prevent the flu or COVID-19.
Based on my informed decision making, the risk-versus-benefit analysis favored me getting vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19. If you’re still debating whether to get these seasonal vaccines, I encourage you to speak with your MS healthcare provider to discuss your concerns.
Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
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Comments
Merlene Cook
When Covid vaccines came available at the start of the pandemic, I too questioned. I am 74. I contacted my neurologist for advice because of my compromised immune system. What concluded. He said if you do not take it ......you will die. Well, there was no further question in my mind. I have been taking the flu shot for 40 years and the Covid shot every 6 months. Worked for me. Personal choice.
Danny S
I’ve had MS for 30 years. I get all relevant vaccines and have never had a problem. A couple of weeks ago, I received Covid vaccine #6.
All of my GPs and neurologists are pro-vaccination. I also had to get Shringrix and an updated MMR at age 50. I get my tetanus shots every ten years.
No issues here and I’ve been on DMTs from Betaseron to Rebif, Gilenya, Techfidera, and most recently, Vulmerity.
Diane
If you take Ocrevus infusions for PPMS, my neurologist said I can’t take any vaccine 6 weeks before and 3 months after. Please ask your neurologist.
Kim Ahmed
Had RRMS for 20 years, up(down?) graded to SPMS this year. Received 4th COVID booster 1 week ago, plan was to leave 2 weeks before Ocrevus infusion. I always leave 3 days of laying low after vaccinations for recovery days & man, this one hit hard. Was like having Covid again with nausea & diarrhea as added bonuses! Fine now after 1 week, just be prepared for anything, friends!
Juliet Whiston
I've had MS for 37 years. I had the first three Covid vaccines but I've never had the flu vaccine.
I have never taken any DMTs; I try to avoid medicine as much as I can.
Ellen Lerner
I had similar questions when the COVID vaccines started. I tend to get what I consider important vaccines psrtucularsly the pneumonia vaccines, the Shingrix vaccines, and I did get all the COVID ones so far except the latest one which I will probably get soon.. I may get the RSV one but not sure yet. I have never had the flu vaccine. I never wanted to get tied down to having an annual vaccine especially when it has to come down to guessing which flu would be every year. My last physician said at my age at the time which was 74 that the flu could kill me. I guess that wasn’t enough to convince me yet.. I took a DMT for 12 years and I have been off any DMT for the past five years.. For the past 18 years I have known that I had MS no active lesions have been seen.. My guess is that sometime before the age of 57 I must’ve had some active lesions , but I had no idea anything was wrong. In my late 20s, til my middle 30s I had five pregnancies and births; perhaps that had something to do with not knowing I had MS but I can’t prove that. At age 57 I had a major sx. and no other major sxs. I have a few issues that may or may not have to do with MS which could bec considered the results of old age or maybe MS or both.. it’s difficult to know.
Tom A
Most of the people here sound smart. But people will believe what they want to believe. I favor science and take the "better safe than sorry:" route. Immunosupression will impact vaccine effectiveness, quite a bit I read, no matter how you time it. Still, every little bit helps, they say.