COVID‐19 Vaccination recommendations for patients with neuromuscular disease.

 COVID‐19 Vaccination recommendations for patients with neuromuscular disease.

Dr.Ashis Kumar Ghosh  MBBS, DCH. MD
Assistant Professor,

Paediatric Hematology and Oncology 
National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital 

Telephone number : 8801712685509 

Health and Hope Hospital 

152/2/G, Green Road,Panthapath, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh 

For Appointment: 01611131253, 01678131252

Sunday and Wednesday 2-5 pm. (Room no-311)

Web. https://child-cancer-care-bangladesh5.cms.webnode.com

Types of neuromuscular disorders include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Muscular dystrophy.
• Myasthenia gravis.
• Myopathy.
• Myositis, including polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
• Peripheral neuropathy.

COVID‐19 vaccination in individuals with NMDs

Although NMD patients have not been listed as a high risk for COVID‐19, and are currently not considered in the planned allocation of early‐phase COVID‐19 vaccinations, ACIP and CDC recommendations are expected to expand as large enough quantities of vaccine become available.

1. COVID‐19 vaccination is recommended for persons 16 to 18 years of age and older, with the ACIP/CDC recommended allocation schedule based on perceived risk.

2. The same brand of COVID‐19 vaccine should be used for both initial and booster injections. They should not be administered within 14 days of other vaccines.

3. All individuals with NMDs who are not taking IS agents should be encouraged to receive COVID‐19 vaccines because the risk of COVID‐19 infections likely outweighs the potential risks of the vaccine.

4. Individuals with NMDs who are taking IS/IM agents should be counseled that there are no data currently regarding the safety or efficacy of COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines in this population, but the vaccine benefits of reducing COVID‐19 infection likely outweigh the potential risks. Even reduced efficacy may confer benefits against COVID‐19 infections.

5. Individuals with autoimmune NMDs should be counseled that no data are currently available on the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines in this population. An increased risk of developing autoimmune or inflammatory disorders was not observed in clinical trial participants who received an mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine compared with placebo. There are no data regarding the risk of exacerbation of autoimmune NMDs by the COVID‐19 vaccine. Persons with autoimmune conditions who have no contraindications to vaccination may receive an mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine.

6. Persons with a history of GBS and autoimmune conditions may receive COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines unless they have other contraindications to vaccination.

7. Individuals should be counseled that the vaccine does not carry the risk of inducing systemic COVID‐19 infection, and that it does not alter their DNA.

8. Known adverse effects of the vaccine should be discussed and patients should be encouraged to participate in vaccine safety tracking programs such as V‐safe by the CDC.

9. Based on current knowledge, it is believed that both COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines in present use are unlikely to pose a risk to the pregnant person or fetus, but the potential risks are unknown. If pregnant women are a part of a group that is recommended to receive a COVID‐19 vaccine, they should discuss the vaccination with their health‐care team to help them make an informed decision.