Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsSide EffectsRisksEffectivenessMS and COVID-19Vaccine ImportanceFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Side Effects
Risks
Effectiveness
MS and COVID-19
Vaccine Importance
Frequently Asked Questions
In some people withmultiple sclerosis (MS), certain vaccines can trigger symptom flare-ups.This leads some people with MS to wonder if they should get vaccinated againstCOVID-19.According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the answer is yes: It’s safe and important for people with MS to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Learn more about theCOVID-19 vaccineand MS, including side effects, effectiveness, and risks.
Fritz Jorgensen / Getty Images
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fully approved or given emergency use authorization (EUA) to threeCOVID-19 vaccinesin the United States:
In general, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends one updated dose for everyone ages 5 years and older. Younger children and adults over 65 may receive additional updated doses.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society also recommends that people with MS get vaccinated against COVID-19—preferably withPfizer-BioNTech,Moderna, or Novavax—to prevent COVID-19 and related complications.
Recent research suggests that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for most people with MS. People with MS who get breakthrough COVID-19 infections—infections that occur in fully vaccinated people—have a significantly reduced risk of:
A 2022 study revealed that 54.5% of people with MS experienced at least one side effect after receiving a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The most common side effects they reported were mild and short-lived, such as:
Most side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine resolve on their own within a few days. If your side effects are not going away, reach out to your healthcare provider.
If you experience signs ofanaphylaxis(a severe allergic reaction) shortly after getting the COVID-19 vaccine—with symptoms such as swelling, difficulty breathing, hives, or a rash—seek emergency medical help immediately.
How to Minimize Side Effects From the COVID-19 VaccineIf you experience side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, it is usually safe to take over-the-counter (OTC, without a prescription) medication, such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). If you experience pain in the area where you received the shot, arm movement and a cool, damp washcloth may help.Drinking extra fluids and dressing in cool clothes can help to relieve fever symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider if your side effects are persistent or start to get worse.
How to Minimize Side Effects From the COVID-19 Vaccine
If you experience side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, it is usually safe to take over-the-counter (OTC, without a prescription) medication, such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). If you experience pain in the area where you received the shot, arm movement and a cool, damp washcloth may help.Drinking extra fluids and dressing in cool clothes can help to relieve fever symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider if your side effects are persistent or start to get worse.
If you experience side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, it is usually safe to take over-the-counter (OTC, without a prescription) medication, such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). If you experience pain in the area where you received the shot, arm movement and a cool, damp washcloth may help.
Drinking extra fluids and dressing in cool clothes can help to relieve fever symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider if your side effects are persistent or start to get worse.
Some people with MS are concerned about the potential risks of the COVID-19 vaccine,including post-vaccineMS flare-upsand the effects of MS medications.
MS Flare-Ups
Some people with multiple sclerosis experienceMS relapsesafter getting certain vaccines. In general, if you are currently experiencing an MS flare-up, you should wait until your symptoms are under control to receive the vaccine.
Research suggests that MS symptom flare-ups are rare after the COVID-19 vaccine. In one recent study, 3.8% of MS patients experienced a temporary flare-up after receiving a Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot. Meanwhile, only 3.3% of people with MS experienced a severe relapse after getting their third shot.
According to the National MS Society, the COVID-19 vaccine isnotlikely to trigger an MS flare-up. For most people with MS, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.
Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs)
Because they are immunosuppressants,DMTscan increase your risk of infection.They can also make certain vaccines less effective. People with MS who are taking DMTs should typically not receivelive vaccines(vaccines that contain a weakened, or attenuated, version of a virus).
However, the COVID-19 vaccine is not a live vaccine. Instead, both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines aremessenger RNA(mRNA) vaccines. They teach the body’s immune system to detect and fight off the SARS-CoV-2 virus using a copy of a blueprint for a certain protein.
Most people who take DMTs to control MS symptoms should still receive the COVID-19 vaccine.However, it may be best for you to get vaccinated against COVID-19 either before you start or after you finish taking certain MS medications.These may include:
If you are taking or about to start taking animmunosuppressantfor MS, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you decide how to time your vaccine doses safely and effectively.
Who Should Not Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine?Talk to your healthcare provider before getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you:Are currently experiencing an MS relapseCurrently have COVID-19Are moderately or severely illHave previously had an allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or any of its ingredients
Who Should Not Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Talk to your healthcare provider before getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you:Are currently experiencing an MS relapseCurrently have COVID-19Are moderately or severely illHave previously had an allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or any of its ingredients
Talk to your healthcare provider before getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you:
The COVID-19 vaccine effectively protects people with MS from contractingSARS-CoV-2.The vaccine also lowers the risk of hospitalization for COVID-related complications.
However, someMS medicationsmay reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. One 2022 study found that people with MS who were taking disease-modifying drugs developed fewer antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 after being fully vaccinated.
Similarly, in a 2021 study, only 3.8% of fully vaccinated MS patients contracted COVID-19.The majority of these patients were either undergoing anti-CD20 therapy or taking Gilenya (fingolimod), a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator.
However, the study also suggested that fully vaccinated patients with MS had a significantly reduced risk of ICU admission and death, regardless of what DMTs they were taking.
According to the CDC, moderately or severely immunocompromised and unvaccinated adults should get three of the same doses of either updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
MS is an autoimmune disorder, which means that it causes theimmune systemto attack its own healthy cells. It can also heighten the body’s naturalinflammatory response.
Autoimmune and inflammatory disorders like MS do not necessarily put you at a higher risk of getting COVID-19.However, some people with MS may have a greater chance of experiencing severe illness from COVID-10, including:
It’s especially important for people in these high-risk groups to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Why Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Important?
The COVID-19 vaccine offers effective protection against SARS-CoV-2 and related complications, such as severe illness and ICU admission.Research suggests that both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are over 94% effective.
Studies also indicate the COVID vaccine continues to protect you from hospitalization and death, even months after your last dose.
Older andimmunocompromised people—including some people with MS—have a higher risk of being hospitalized, becoming severely ill, or dying from COVID-19. Therefore, the CDC recommends that immunocompromised people receive extra doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the nervous system, including the brain and/or spinal cord. The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, as well as hospitalization, severe illness, and death.
Because certain vaccines may lead to MS flare-ups or relapses, somepeople with MSare unsure about whether they should get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Research suggests that most people with MS experience only mild side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. People who take disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) to control their MS symptoms should talk to their healthcare provider about timing their vaccine doses correctly.
A Word From Verywell
If you have MS and are worried about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you decide whether you should get the vaccine, how to prepare for possible side effects, and how to time your doses in a way that works best for you.
In general, people with MS do not have a higher risk of getting COVID-19. However, people with MS who are older, take disease-modifying therapies (DMT), and/or are in the Black or Hispanic/Latino communities may have an increased chance of COVID-19 complications, including hospitalization and intubation.
According to the CDC, everyone ages 6 months and older should get the COVID-19 vaccine.The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that people with multiple sclerosis receive the COVID-19 vaccine, especially if they are in a high-risk group.
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for most people. It can help to prevent you from contracting SARS-CoV-2, and it reduces your risk of related complications, such as severe illness, hospitalization, intubation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death.Most of the reported side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, such as muscle pain and fatigue, are mild and go away on their own. Serious side effects from the COVID vaccine (such as a severe allergic reaction) are extremely rare.
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for most people. It can help to prevent you from contracting SARS-CoV-2, and it reduces your risk of related complications, such as severe illness, hospitalization, intubation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death.
Most of the reported side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, such as muscle pain and fatigue, are mild and go away on their own. Serious side effects from the COVID vaccine (such as a severe allergic reaction) are extremely rare.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
20 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Vaccinations.Yazdani A, Mirmosayyeb O, Ghaffary EM, Hashemi MS, Ghajarzadeh M.COVID-19 vaccines and patients with multiple sclerosis: willingness, unwillingness and hesitancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurol Sci. 2022;1-10. doi:10.1007/s10072-022-06051-6National Multiple Sclerosis Society.COVID-19 vaccine guidance for people living with MS.Food and Drug Administration.COVID-19 Vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.Rose DR, Mahadeen AZ, Carlson AK, et al.Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 despite SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis.Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2021;7(4):20552173211057110. doi:10.1177/20552173211057110Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine.Dreyer-Alster S, Menascu S, Mandel M, et al.COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: Safety and humoral efficacy of the third booster dose.J Neurol Sci. 2022;434:120155. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2022.120155Winkelmann A, Loebermann M, Reisinger EC, Hartung HP, Zettl UK.Disease-modifying therapies and infectious risks in multiple sclerosis.Nat Rev Neurol. 2016;12(4):217-233. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2016.21Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines.Toscano S, Chisari CG, Patti F.Multiple sclerosis, COVID-19 and vaccines: making the point.Neurol Ther. 2021;10(2):627-649. doi:10.1007/s40120-021-00288-7Wolf A, Alvarez E.COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis on disease-modifying therapy.Neurol Clin Pract. 2021;11(4):358-361. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000001088Tallantyre EC, Vickaryous N, Anderson V, et al.COVID-19 vaccine response in people with multiple sclerosis.Ann Neurol. 2022;91(1):89-100. doi:10.1002/ana.26251Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: people with certain medical conditions.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Multiple sclerosis & COVID-19.Olliaro P, Torreele E, Vaillant M.COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness-the elephant (not) in the room.Lancet Microbe. 2021;2(7):e279-e280. doi:10.1016/S2666-5247(21)00069-0Lin DY, Gu Y, Wheeler B, et al.Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):933-941. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2117128Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Vaccinations.Yazdani A, Mirmosayyeb O, Ghaffary EM, Hashemi MS, Ghajarzadeh M.COVID-19 vaccines and patients with multiple sclerosis: willingness, unwillingness and hesitancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurol Sci. 2022;1-10. doi:10.1007/s10072-022-06051-6National Multiple Sclerosis Society.COVID-19 vaccine guidance for people living with MS.Food and Drug Administration.COVID-19 Vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.Rose DR, Mahadeen AZ, Carlson AK, et al.Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 despite SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis.Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2021;7(4):20552173211057110. doi:10.1177/20552173211057110Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine.Dreyer-Alster S, Menascu S, Mandel M, et al.COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: Safety and humoral efficacy of the third booster dose.J Neurol Sci. 2022;434:120155. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2022.120155Winkelmann A, Loebermann M, Reisinger EC, Hartung HP, Zettl UK.Disease-modifying therapies and infectious risks in multiple sclerosis.Nat Rev Neurol. 2016;12(4):217-233. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2016.21Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines.Toscano S, Chisari CG, Patti F.Multiple sclerosis, COVID-19 and vaccines: making the point.Neurol Ther. 2021;10(2):627-649. doi:10.1007/s40120-021-00288-7Wolf A, Alvarez E.COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis on disease-modifying therapy.Neurol Clin Pract. 2021;11(4):358-361. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000001088Tallantyre EC, Vickaryous N, Anderson V, et al.COVID-19 vaccine response in people with multiple sclerosis.Ann Neurol. 2022;91(1):89-100. doi:10.1002/ana.26251Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: people with certain medical conditions.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Multiple sclerosis & COVID-19.Olliaro P, Torreele E, Vaillant M.COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness-the elephant (not) in the room.Lancet Microbe. 2021;2(7):e279-e280. doi:10.1016/S2666-5247(21)00069-0Lin DY, Gu Y, Wheeler B, et al.Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):933-941. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2117128Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Vaccinations.Yazdani A, Mirmosayyeb O, Ghaffary EM, Hashemi MS, Ghajarzadeh M.COVID-19 vaccines and patients with multiple sclerosis: willingness, unwillingness and hesitancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurol Sci. 2022;1-10. doi:10.1007/s10072-022-06051-6National Multiple Sclerosis Society.COVID-19 vaccine guidance for people living with MS.Food and Drug Administration.COVID-19 Vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.Rose DR, Mahadeen AZ, Carlson AK, et al.Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 despite SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis.Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2021;7(4):20552173211057110. doi:10.1177/20552173211057110Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine.Dreyer-Alster S, Menascu S, Mandel M, et al.COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: Safety and humoral efficacy of the third booster dose.J Neurol Sci. 2022;434:120155. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2022.120155Winkelmann A, Loebermann M, Reisinger EC, Hartung HP, Zettl UK.Disease-modifying therapies and infectious risks in multiple sclerosis.Nat Rev Neurol. 2016;12(4):217-233. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2016.21Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines.Toscano S, Chisari CG, Patti F.Multiple sclerosis, COVID-19 and vaccines: making the point.Neurol Ther. 2021;10(2):627-649. doi:10.1007/s40120-021-00288-7Wolf A, Alvarez E.COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis on disease-modifying therapy.Neurol Clin Pract. 2021;11(4):358-361. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000001088Tallantyre EC, Vickaryous N, Anderson V, et al.COVID-19 vaccine response in people with multiple sclerosis.Ann Neurol. 2022;91(1):89-100. doi:10.1002/ana.26251Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: people with certain medical conditions.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Multiple sclerosis & COVID-19.Olliaro P, Torreele E, Vaillant M.COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness-the elephant (not) in the room.Lancet Microbe. 2021;2(7):e279-e280. doi:10.1016/S2666-5247(21)00069-0Lin DY, Gu Y, Wheeler B, et al.Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):933-941. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2117128Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Vaccinations.
Yazdani A, Mirmosayyeb O, Ghaffary EM, Hashemi MS, Ghajarzadeh M.COVID-19 vaccines and patients with multiple sclerosis: willingness, unwillingness and hesitancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurol Sci. 2022;1-10. doi:10.1007/s10072-022-06051-6
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.COVID-19 vaccine guidance for people living with MS.
Food and Drug Administration.COVID-19 Vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Rose DR, Mahadeen AZ, Carlson AK, et al.Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 despite SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis.Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2021;7(4):20552173211057110. doi:10.1177/20552173211057110
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine.
Dreyer-Alster S, Menascu S, Mandel M, et al.COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis: Safety and humoral efficacy of the third booster dose.J Neurol Sci. 2022;434:120155. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2022.120155
Winkelmann A, Loebermann M, Reisinger EC, Hartung HP, Zettl UK.Disease-modifying therapies and infectious risks in multiple sclerosis.Nat Rev Neurol. 2016;12(4):217-233. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2016.21
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines.
Toscano S, Chisari CG, Patti F.Multiple sclerosis, COVID-19 and vaccines: making the point.Neurol Ther. 2021;10(2):627-649. doi:10.1007/s40120-021-00288-7
Wolf A, Alvarez E.COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis on disease-modifying therapy.Neurol Clin Pract. 2021;11(4):358-361. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000001088
Tallantyre EC, Vickaryous N, Anderson V, et al.COVID-19 vaccine response in people with multiple sclerosis.Ann Neurol. 2022;91(1):89-100. doi:10.1002/ana.26251
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Multiple sclerosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: people with certain medical conditions.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Multiple sclerosis & COVID-19.
Olliaro P, Torreele E, Vaillant M.COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness-the elephant (not) in the room.Lancet Microbe. 2021;2(7):e279-e280. doi:10.1016/S2666-5247(21)00069-0
Lin DY, Gu Y, Wheeler B, et al.Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines over a 9-month period in North Carolina.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):933-941. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2117128
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people.
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