The MS team at UConn Health is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it pertains to our MS patients. MS and neuromuscular disease patients may be at high risk, especially if they are taking medications that suppress the immune system. These medications may reduce your ability to resist the virus and to recover from it if you are infected.

COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance

There are currently two vaccines to protect against COVID-19. We worked with the MS Society and a panel of experts to create these recommendations and answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.

How to Protect Yourself From a COVID-19 Infection

To prevent infection, avoid contact with those who have the virus or have possibly been exposed. Also, avoid contact with surfaces or items handled by potentially infected persons.

• Wash your hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Social distancing
• Stay home
• Avoid unnecessary travel
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Clean and disinfect any objects and surfaces

Coming to the Center

We can’t tell you whether you need to come to the center or not. This depends on how urgent your medical problem is and whether it can be handled without a visit.

We are urging those with stable medical conditions scheduled for routine follow-up visits to reschedule their appointments for a later date. We will provide medication refills and answer non-urgent questions by phone, email, or MyChart.

Please DO NOT come to the center if you have a cough or other respiratory symptoms, fever, or have been in contact with someone exposed to or infected with COVID19. This also applies to those returning from travel to “level 3” countries. Do NOT bring a sick family member into appointments. Limit family and friends with you to 1 or 2 per patient.

When you arrive at the center, we will ask about your respiratory symptoms and take your temperature. If you have a cough or fever, we will reschedule your visit since it is safest not to expose others. If you have mild respiratory symptoms or low-grade fever, you should see your PCP to determine whether you need to be tested for COVID-19. If you have no symptoms, you should self-quarantine and isolate yourself from others for 14 days, so that you do not infect others.

What Should I Do If My Family Member or I Have Respiratory Symptoms?

If you develop a high fever, a deep dry cough, fatigue, or shortness of breath, call your PCP or family doctor. It is imperative to let someone know if you have respiratory symptoms. We advise you to stay at home. If you need to go to an ER because you’re feeling very ill with symptoms such as fever, headaches, and especially shortness of breath, call ahead and let us know you have respiratory symptoms and need help. If someone in your household gets sick, try to stay 6 feet away, wear gloves, have them sleep in a different room, and use a separate bathroom if you can. Wipe down common areas with bleach wipes, and keep washing your hands regularly.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

If you’re experiencing symptoms you think could be COVID-19, or you have been in contact with someone who’s been diagnosed with the virus, you should first call your family doctor.

If your illness is worsening or your symptoms become severe, seek medical attention. If possible, call the medical facility beforehand to alert them that you’re on your way and that you suspect COVID-19. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911, and notify dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19.

Am I at Higher Risk to Contract COVID-19 Due to My Multiple Sclerosis?

No, MS itself doesn’t put you at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. However, viral infections (like seasonal flu) can exacerbate your MS symptoms from earlier attacks. COVID-19 is likely to produce a fever, which could worsen MS symptoms as well. Patients with a significant neurologic disability or any other illnesses may also be at higher risk of having more severe symptoms with COVID-19.

What If I Have an MS Relapse?

There is no indication that COVID-19 increases incidents of relapse. Fever can cause worsening MS symptoms without a true relapse. This could be caused by COVID-19 or the seasonal flu, and we may not be able to tell which since we do have not widespread COVID-19 testing. Also, you could have a relapse as part of your ongoing MS disease. If that is the case, we need to assess and treat you. If you develop new neurological symptoms, please call us.

Should MS Patients Avoid Public Transportation and Events?

Yes, people currently in treatment, if at all possible, should avoid taking public buses or trains. If you have no choice but to use the bus or a train, take precautions and distance yourself from others.

For more information, please visit UConn Health’s COVID-19 page or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Stay safe, and reach out to us if you need us. We are here for you.

In general, boosters are going to be necessary for all people to maintain immunity against COVID-19. There is a current necessity for boosters for the general population at eight months after vaccination; therefore, boosters will be available to all in early fall.

Patients with MS treated with ocrelizumab, rituximab, ofatumumab, fingolimod, and alemtuzumab may have reduced protection after receiving the two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is also clear that these patients are getting infected, and they may require hospitalization. Therefore, they need additional protection. We advocate that they follow this multipronged approach:

Boosters

1. One of the current concerns is that many MS patients are not vaccinated, which is indeed an urgent concern. We advocate that all patients should be vaccinated.
2. MS patient on B-cell depletion and fingolimod should get a vaccine booster. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose (booster) for people who use treatments that are associated with moderate to severe immunosuppression.
3. Antibodies measurements are not required.
4. The booster, as well as the vaccine, are safe. The precise timing depends on your circumstances. Work with our MS providers and nurse navigators to discuss your specific case.

Exposure

1. MS patients, regardless of the vaccination status, should decrease their exposure to COVID-19.
2. Even if MS patients are vaccinated, they can contract and spread the disease to their unvaccinated family members (children). Therefore, exposure prevention is still the most crucial aspect to avoid infection.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis

MS patients at risk who think they have been in contact with COVID-infected individuals should use monoclonal antibodies offered as post-exposure prevention.

The UConn Health MS Center has participated in the discussion related to national and international guidance for MS patients by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.