The MS Foundations' Editor’s note: In this news brief, MSF Medical Advisor Ben Thrower, M.D., addresses the topic of flu shots and the flu, including H1N1, for people with MS.
It seems like everywhere you turn, there is news about the flu. What does all this mean for a person with MS? We need to clarify that there are two types of flu bugs being discussed. There is the common seasonal flu and there is the H1N1 or swine flu strain. Vaccines for these two forms of the flu come in both a nasal spray and injectable form. So, here are some general guidelines:
- No person with MS should receive the nasal spray form of the vaccination. This form is a live attenuated (weakened) virus and is not recommended for people with MS.
- People with MS who are on one of the beta interferons (Avonex®, Betaseron®, Rebif® or Extavia®) or Copaxone® are not considered to be immunocompromised. The same is true for people with MS on no therapy. The risks and benefits of getting vaccinated for seasonal flu or H1N1 must be looked at individually for these people. The risk of getting the flu is not higher in this group, but if they do get the flu, there is a good chance that MS symptoms will increase due to the infection.
- Some people with MS may be considered to have lowered immune function. This would include people on immunosuppressive drugs like Tysabri®, Novantrone®, methotrexate, Cellcept®, Imuran®, Cytoxan® and chronic steroids. These people should strongly consider getting vaccinated as they may be at higher risk for getting the flu.
- The safety of the seasonal flu injectable vaccine has been established by the CDC for people with MS. We expect the safety of the H1N1 vaccine to be similar although in fairness the vaccine will not have been specifically tested in people with MS.
2 comments:
Thank you Stuart, for posting the official word. Unfortunately, it doesn't address my major concern which is not the immune react to it, but the potential neurologic reaction in susceptible people. This case recently publicized of the cheerleader in training now with serious dysphonia is not the first case I've seen like that in the last 25 years, and I am concerned that people who already have neurologic problems/defects either diagnosed or unfound as yet, might be at increased risk.
Have you seen any official word addressing this issue?
Jan.
http://walkwithabigstick.wordpress.com/
jan20050@gmail.com
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