MS, Ocrevus And Timing Of Covid Vaccine

[Midsomer1]

This article from Neurology Today was really helpful.

journals.lww.com/neurotoday...

I am on Ocrevus and have read many articles about getting the Covid vaccine.

A neurologist from Yale, Dr. Richard Novak, recommends that people on Ocrevus get the vaccine within two weeks before their next infusion.

I get my next infusion in June. I don't know when the vaccine will be available in my area. But this is something to think about!

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

It's a good article Midsomer1 call your neurologist and ask him/her about when to get the vaccine tho. They are going to have your blood work, the vampires 😨🤣😂🤗💕🌠

[Midsomer1 in reply to Jesmcd2]

I have talked to my neurologist about the vaccine. They said get the vaccine when it becomes available. I just thought this article was interesting.

[kdali]

Will you be requesting an antibody test afterwards to see if they worked?

[Midsomer1 in reply to kdali]

I will if I can. 😀

[kdali in reply to Midsomer1]

Awesome! I hope it does!

[erash]

It takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to produce effects and then there is the 2nd vaccine 3-4 weeks later...so should the next O infusion be delayed

?

[Midsomer1 in reply to erash]

The article didn't go into that much detail! I am going to ask my neuro.

[kwhompus]

It was recommended to me to go one month before or one month after by my neurologist. Has there been new info from a higher source?

[Midsomer1 in reply to kwhompus]

I think your neurologist is the higher source! My neurologist didn't give me any info about the timing of getting the vaccine. It's good to hear yours did.😀

[kwhompus in reply to Midsomer1]

definitely uncharted waters here. sounds like we are all leaning toward a safe side

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Mine told me to just get it when I can, as I have no b or t cells anyway. Even a month after my Ocruvus was due, blood tests came back depleted. 😔🤗💕🌠

[Elizt3]

My neurologist shared with me back in December to get the vaccine 2 months prior to O infusion, to allow time for the 2nd injection as well. One note - I received the Hep B vaccine (3 injections) a few months prior to starting O back in 2019, my neurologist checked my immunity to Hep B several months after the first two half doses of O and found that I have no immunity to Hep B according to the blood work. Hmph. Hope this doesn't apply to my experience with the COVID vaccine. My neurologist was puzzled (this was in 2019).

[Midsomer1 in reply to Elizt3]

Your neurologist sounds very informative. Who would of thought taking Ocrevus would lead to all our questions because of Covid.

[Iona60]

I am currently due for my Ocrevus infusion and this is the prime time for me to get the vaccine. I have a letter from my neuro in hand stating that I need the vaccine ASAP. Unfortunately, FL is prioritizing people over 65 and I can't find anyplace to give me the vaccine. The health dept says to get it from the hospital. The hospital says to get it from the health dept. I am in a vicious circle and trying to decide how long to delay my O infusion while I wait out this futility. erash Any word in your part of the state?

[Papamichael]

I’m 75 and have PPMS, having been diagnosed in June, 2012. In consultation with my MS doctor, I decided to put off my next Ocrevus infusion until I got a flu shot (got it in October, 2020) and for about 1 month after I get the COVID-19 vaccine. As a “bonus,” I recently took “advantage” of the delay in getting the Ocrevus infusion and had a shingrix shot.

[Midsomer1 in reply to Papamichael]

I wish my neurologist had told me about getting the flu shot before my infusion. I ended up having my infusion and two days later getting my flu shot. I guess it's not too big of a deal, I don't go anywhere with the pandemic. Still would of been good information too know.