Vaccination Setting of Patients with Autoimmune Diseases in Times of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2 Pandemic Using the Example of Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Longitudinal Multicenter Study

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection represents a serious health risk, especially in chronically ill people. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic immune-mediated neurological disease. Vaccinations play an important role in the therapeutic MS management. This study aimed at determining MS patients’ attitudes toward vaccinations and governmental measures before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, including associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In a longitudinal, multicenter study, 200 MS patients were investigated regarding their vaccination attitudes before and after the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Data on vaccination status and burden (physical, psychological, and social) experienced as caused by the pandemic and related governmental safety measures were registered. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Patients with progressive MS felt significantly more pandemic-burdened than patients with relapsing-onset MS (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Older patients were more frequently willing to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 than younger patients (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). After the first pandemic wave, patients with pre-pandemic willingness to comply with vaccination recommendations were more likely to accept recommended standard vaccinations (60% vs. 36%) and a possible SARS-CoV-2 vaccination than pre-pandemic nonwilling patients (66.7% vs. 42.0%). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The vaccination topic was not immediately present in many patients before the pandemic. MS patients need comprehensive and understandable education meeting their concerns using evidence-based and convincing arguments on the subject of vaccination, particularly younger patients. Older patients are already more often willing to become vaccinated. Complete vaccination status is necessary to avoid multiple infections.