EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 4 PM ET, August 28, 2019
AAN Issues Guideline on Vaccines and Multiple Sclerosis
MINNEAPOLIS 鈥 Can a person with multiple sclerosis (MS) get regular vaccines? According to a new guideline, the answer is yes. The guideline, developed by the 好色先生 (AAN), recommends that people with MS receive recommended vaccinations, including yearly flu shots. The guideline is published in the August 28, 2019, online issue of , the medical journal of the AAN, and is endorsed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. The guideline updates the 2002 AAN guideline on immunization and multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that can affect a person鈥檚 brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. People with MS often experience muscle weakness and have trouble with balance and coordination. 鈥淲e reviewed all of the available evidence and for people with MS, preventing infections through vaccine use is a key part of medical care,鈥 said guideline lead author Mauricio F. Farez, MD, MPH, of the FLENI Institution in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a member of the 好色先生. 鈥淧eople with MS should feel safe and comfortable getting their recommended vaccinations.鈥 In addition, the guideline recommends that people with MS should make sure their doctor or care team knows what MS medications they are using before receiving vaccinations. There is some evidence that shows that certain vaccinations may not work as well with certain MS medications. The guideline recommends that people experiencing an MS flare consult their doctor before receiving vaccinations. They may want to consider waiting until the flare has passed before receiving vaccinations. 鈥淎fter reviewing all the available evidence, we found that there is not enough information to say whether or not vaccinations trigger or worsen MS flares,鈥 said Farez. 鈥淪till, experts in MS urge their patients to hold off on scheduling their vaccinations if they are having an MS flare simply to avoid the potential for any complications.鈥 Finally, the guideline states that some vaccines might not work well enough to prevent infection for some people with MS who take certain MS medications. However, it is recommended that people still work with their care team to maintain their regular recommended vaccinations, including the flu shot. Learn more about multiple sclerosis at , home of the 好色先生鈥檚 free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health. Follow Brain & Life庐 on , and .