The Maryland Center for Multiple Sclerosis

Flu Vaccines

As you are well aware, it is flu season once again. As MS is considered to be an immune mediated disease, vaccinations raise concerns for many of our patients. The Maryland Center for MS is in agreement with statements made by the National MS Society (www.nmss.org) regarding the flu vaccines. The University of Maryland MS Center makes the following recommendations regarding flu vaccines:

The regular seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 flu shot are "killed virus" vaccines meaning they are deactivated forms of the actual virus. "Killed virus" vaccines have not been found to place persons with MS at greater risk for new MS activity. The Maryland Center for MS recommends the regular flu vaccine as safe for persons with MS, and can be safely taken if you are currently on disease modifying treatments: Avonex, Betaseron, Rebif, Copaxone, Novantrone or Tysabri.

"Live-attenuated virus" vaccines are weakened forms of the actual virus. These vaccines are believed to increase MS activity. Live-attenuated vaccines such as the Flu-mist are not recommended for persons with MS as they may provoke MS activity. The Maryland Center for MS recommends persons with MS avoid "live-attenuated" vaccines.

Please be aware that there will be four H1N1 vaccines. Three of the vaccines are deactivated or "killed virus" and one is "live-attenuated" Persons with MS should avoid the "live-attenuated" H1N1 vaccine.

Additional information about flu vaccines is located on the National MS Society website: www.nmss.org

Should you have questions about the regular flu vaccine or the H1N1 vaccine, please feel free to contact the MS Center: 410-328-5605.

This page was last updated on: October 30, 2009.

For more information about the Maryland Center for Multiple Sclerosis,
please call 410-328-5605.