Guidelines for vaccine-preventable infections and immunization in multiple sclerosis were published in 2019 by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).[1]
Discuss the evidence regarding immunizations in MS with patients.
Recommend that MS patients follow all local vaccine standards, unless there are specific contraindications.
Recommend annual influenza vaccination to MS patients.
Counsel MS patients about infection risks associated with specific immunosuppressive/ immunomodulating (ISIM) medications and treatment-specific vaccination guidance according to prescribing information (PI).
Vaccinate patients with MS as needed at least 4–6 weeks before initiating ISIM therapy.
Screen for infections according to PI before initiating ISIM medications and treat patients testing positive for latent infections.
Screen for latent infections in high-risk populations before starting ISIM therapy even when not specifically mentioned in PI.
Recommend against using live-attenuated vaccines in MS patients receiving ISIM therapies.
Delay vaccination in MS patients experiencing a relapse.
For more Clinical Practice Guidelines, go to Guidelines.
For more information, go to Multiple Sclerosis.
Medscape © 2019 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Immunization and Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Practice Guidelines (AAN, 2019) - Medscape - Oct 08, 2019.
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