A number of case series have reported a negative SARS-CoV-2 antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination or vaccine failure in patients treated with ocrelizumab. While the results are preliminary, they do lend support to the findings from a recent study in Israel (Achiron et al. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2021;14:1-8). (See Few vaccine responders with fingolimod, ocrelizumab, NeuroSens, April 23, 2021). Read More
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 variants – an update
June 16, 2021The World Health Organization is now listing four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) and seven additional variants of interest (VOI) worldwide (www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/). A VOC is characterized by an increase in transmissibility or virulence, a change in clinical presentation, and/or decreased effectiveness of vaccines or therapeutics. A VOI is a strain that has caused multiple case clusters. Read More
COVID vaccine interchangeability – what is the evidence?
June 8, 2021The latest recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is that the second COVID-19 vaccination can be administered with a different vaccine product (NACI, 1 June 2021). Consequently, people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine can be switched to an mRNA vaccine for the second dose. The recommendation was based on concerns about vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) following first and second vaccinations with viral-vector vaccines. Read More
COVID-19 mortality in MS patients: a systematic review
June 1, 2021A systematic review of 87 studies has found that patients with multiple sclerosis have a slightly increased mortality risk from COVID-19, notably those who are older with significant disability and/or comorbidities (Barzegar et al. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2021;8:e1001). Read More
Slide deck: COVID-19 – Epidemiology in Canada (May 17, 2021)
May 17, 2021Summary of epidemiology, testing and mortality rate; Canada and world statistics.