Much ado about something. It all started with recent studies which, according to neurologist Jean Pelletier, show the ineffectiveness of the vaccine against COVID-19 in people with multiple sclerosis. Some of the drugs they need would cancel out the protection of the vaccine and could even increase the risk of developing severe forms of the disease.
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Exposure to risks
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Many treatments are available to patients, but none of them are cures.
Jean Pelletier, a neurologist at the Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation, reveals that two drugs are effective, 'extremely effective,' even. However, two of those, rituximab and ocrelizumab, would prevent vaccinated patients from being protected against COVID-19. In any case, this is what Jean Pelletier declared:
Patients treated with this class of treatments are both more exposed to severe forms of COVID and are less likely to respond to vaccination.
No protection
But that's not all. Indeed, the professor also revealed that people with multiple sclerosis vaccinated against the coronavirus would not develop antibodies.
We see people with MS treated with these anti-CD20s who do not produce antibodies after vaccination against COVID.
To make sure of it, a study conducted by Inserm will be launched in a few weeks' time to shed light on the real effects of the vaccination on these patients, but also on people with cancer, kidney problems or diabetes. The result is expected within 6 months.
