In this section
Coronavirus and MS services
Disease modifying Treatments
If you are on an injectable treatment: Glatiramer acetate (Brabio/Copaxone), Interferon beta 1a (Avonex, Plegridy, Rebif), Interferon 1b (Betaferon), or an oral treatment such as Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera), Fingolimod (Gilenya) and Teriflunomide (Aubagio) your treatment will not be altered, unless your blood test results indicate that you may be at higher risk of infection. The MS nurse team will contact you directly if this applies to you.
If you are on Natalizumab (Tysabri) infusions, your infusions will continue.
If you have already been treated with Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) and Cladribine (Mavenclad) your care will continue as before. The MS team will be in contact if you are due a repeat treatment soon.
If you are waiting to start a treatment such as Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada), Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) and Cladribine (Mavenclad), the MS Team will also be in contact with you to discuss this.
Appointments and Covid-19
Appointments for physiotherapy are currently being managed by virtual/ telephone. If you are on the physiotherapy waiting list you will be contacted by a member of the team to assess your needs. At present the physiotherapy service are not able to offer block bookings for appointments due to capacity.
The MS nursing team will continue to offer telephone clinic appointments but will be able to offer some face to face reviews and incorporating virtual appointments.
MS treatments and Covid-19 vaccines
The Covid-19 vaccines are safe for people with MS. They are not likely trigger an MS relapse or worsen MS symptoms
They are also safe for people who are on Disease Modifying Treatments (DMT’s). There are some DMT’s which may make the vaccine less effective but it will provide some protection.
For patients taking Mavneclad, Ocrelizumab or Alemtuzumab please contact your healthcare professional as you may need to coordinate the timing of the vaccine with the timing of your DMT infusion/dose.
Please click on the link below to read the statement on MS treatments and Covid-19 vaccines:
