Impact of mass vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 infections among the total multiple sclerosis population receiving immunomodulatory disease-modifying therapies in England

Abstract This study aimed to understand changes in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among all people with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving immunomodulatory disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in England, compared to the general population, following mass vaccination. Longitudinal data collected by the National Health Service (NHS) England on all MS DMT prescriptions and the UK Health Security Agency on all registered SARS-CoV-2 test results were analysed. The incidence rate ratio of SARS-CoV-2 infection among people with MS taking DMTs compared to the general population was calculated before (November 2020-January 2021) and after (July-August 2021) mass vaccination. Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among people on ocrelizumab or fingolimod compared to the general population increased following liberalisation of COVID-19 restrictions (during March-July 2021) despite mass vaccination. No changes were found with other DMTs. These findings converge with the impaired immune response to vaccines observed with ocrelizumab and fingolimod.

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The association between deprivation and the access to disease modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis: An England wide community-based study in the UK MS Register

Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.msard.2021.103474 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 103474

Author(s):

Joyutpal Das ◽

David J Rog ◽

Rod Middleton ◽

Jeff W Rodgers ◽

Richard Fry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Community Based ◽

Disease Modifying Therapies ◽

Disease Modifying ◽

The Uk ◽

Wide Community

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Access to and Use of Clinical Services and Disease-Modifying Therapies by People with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in the United Kingdom

International Journal of MS Care ◽

10.7224/1537-2073.2017-022 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 275-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Evan Campbell ◽

Elaine H. Coulter ◽

Paul Mattison ◽

Angus McFadyen ◽

Linda Miller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Clinical Services ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Disease Modifying Therapies ◽

Disease Modifying ◽

The Uk ◽

Regular Review

Background: According to current UK guidelines, everyone with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) should have access to an MS specialist, but levels of access and use of clinical services is unknown. We sought to investigate access to MS specialists and use of clinical services and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) by people with progressive MS in the United Kingdom. Methods: A UK-wide online survey was conducted via the UK MS Register. The inclusion criteria were age 18 years or older, primary or secondary progressive MS, and a member of the UK MS Register. Participants were asked about access to MS specialists, recent clinical service use, receipt of regular review, and current and previous DMT use. Participant demographic data, quality of life, and disease impact measures were from the UK MS Register. Results: In total, 1298 individuals responded: 7% were currently taking a DMT, 23% had previously taken a DMT, and 95% reported access to an MS specialist. The most used practitioners were MS doctors/nurses (50%), general practitioners (45%), and physiotherapists (40%). Seventy-four percent of participants received a regular review, although 37% received theirs less often than annually. Current DMT use was associated with better quality of life, but past DMT use was associated with poorer quality of life and higher impact of disease. Conclusions: Access to and use of MS specialists was high. However, a gap in service provision was highlighted in both receipt and frequency of regular reviews.

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