Vaccinations and multiple sclerosis

Abstract:

There are doubts in the public, but also in some medical circles, about whether vaccination can stimulate the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) or relapse of MS. Furthermore, the introduction into clinical practice of an increasing number of drugs that modify the course of MS has raised another concern about the increased risk of infection or the reduced effectiveness of immunization in people with MS on therapy. The vaccination program valid in the Republic of Croatia is normally applied to patients with MS, and it is especially important to emphasize that seasonal vaccination against influenza is recommended. Live attenuated vaccines are contraindicated in individuals recently treated with most disease-modifying drugs, including corticosteroids to treat relapse..

Key words:
multiple sclerosis, vaccinations