This autumn, the NHS will offer a COVID-19 vaccine to people at high risk of serious disease and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. In 2023, data showed that people who received a booster in the autumn programme were around 45% less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid-19 later. Protection from the COVID-19 vaccine lasts around four months.
Throughout the pandemic, the most significant risk factor has been age. The clinical risk for severe disease is higher for older people. You may also have higher risk of severe disease if you are immunosuppressed as a result of your medication, or if you have additional health concerns.
Some of the medications that are listed as causing immunosuppression are used in MS. They include Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), Kesimpta (ofatumumab), rituximab, and steroids such as prednisolone if taken for longer than a month.
If you are not sure whether you are included in a clinical risk group, check with your GP or MS team.
These are the groups who will be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine this autumn:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- all adults aged 65 years and over
- all people aged over 6 months who are in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the UK HSA Green Book
Recent research has shown no increased risk of MS relapse after having a COVID-19 vaccine.
