Vaccination opportunities in multiple sclerosis patients treated with cladribine tablets

Abstract

: The COVID-19 pandemic and the mass vaccination campaign highlighted the situation of the most vulnerable patients. In this work, we focused attention on patients who have Multiple Sclerosis (MS), particularly in treatment with cladribine tablets, trying to understand if and when it is possible to administer the vaccine successfully. Considering the innovative topic, we reviewed the existing literature with an analysis of the experiences also related to other vaccinations, including influenza and VZV, and very recent data from countries with vaccination campaigns already advanced. Overall, we have taken into account the mechanism of action, the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic of cladribine and the changes in the immune system after its administration, together with the preliminary data about the humoral response to influenza, VZV and SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in cladribine treated patients. In conclusion, data showed that the use of cladribine tablets seems to permit flexibility regarding vaccination timing and we suggest that vaccination in those patients should be safe and effective.