Live Attenuated Measles-Mumps-Rubella and Varicella Vaccinations and Multiple Sclerosis Activity

Are live attenuated measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or varicella vaccinations associated with increased risk of postvaccination relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)?In this cohort study of 369 patients with MS, live attenuated MMR and varicella vaccinations were not associated with increased risk of relapse activity compared with no vaccination in matched control individuals.These findings support administration of live attenuated MMR and varicella vaccines in patients with MS and current recommendations for appropriate immunization before immunosuppressive therapy and may lead to reduced vaccine hesitancy.

Corresponding Author: René Carvajal, MD, Department of Neurology-Neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Pg. Vall d’Hebron, 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain (rcarvajal@cem-cat.org).

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