Opinions, beliefs and knowledge of people with multiple sclerosis on COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis and related disorders Vol. 54; p. 103113
• Main Authors: Moniz Dionísio, Joana, Santos, Mariana, Rodrigues, Ana Martins, Rêgo, André, Vítor, Joana, Delgado, Sofia, Pinheiro, Rita, Neves, Pedro, Figueiredo, Carlos, Costa, José Bandeira, Vale, José, Salgado, Vasco, Timóteo, Ângela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2021
• Subjects: COVID-19; COVID-19 pandemic; COVID-19 Vaccines; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - epidemiology; opinions; Original; Pandemics - prevention & control; questionnaire; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccines; RRMS; questionnaire; PPMS; vaccines; SPMS; multiple sclerosis; MS; CI; CNS; DMT; PwMS; CIS; COVID-19; COVID-19 pandemic; SARS-CoV-2; OD; opinions
• ISSN: 2211-0348; 2211-0356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103113

•Patients older than 50 years felt their clinical support reduced during the pandemic.•48.9% would like to be vaccinated, 39.2% were unsure and 11.9% would refuse the vaccine.•Patients with progressive MS fear an MS aggravation if they are vaccinated for COVID-19.•Fears and expectations towards vaccination must be discussed with pwMS.•Knowing pwMS’ opinions on COVID-19 impact and vaccination is useful to better address these issues. Considering the potential COVID-19 impact on pwMS health and the importance of vaccination for this population, we decided to assess: (a) pwMS’ beliefs and knowledge on COVID-19 pandemic; (b) their acceptance towards COVID-19 vaccination and (c) pwMS’ opinions on general vaccination. Observational study, based on a cross-sectional (10-20th September 2020) online survey, conducted in a cohort of pwMS’ followed at two Portuguese hospitals. The survey included measures to characterize the sample and a questionnaire designed to assess the topics defined for this study. 270 respondents completed the full survey (response rate 58.2%). pwMS greatest concern during the pandemic was an aggravation of MS, especially by patients older than 50 years old. Almost 40% of the patients older than 50 felt that the pandemic negatively affected their MS related medical assistance. Most patients believed they would recover from COVID-19 infection. More than half of the responders feared a MS aggravation if they got COVID-19; this was more pronounced in patients with progressive MS. About 12% of the participants did not want to be vaccinated and almost 40% was unsure. Regarding vaccines in general, almost a third of the participants feared their side effects or MS related complications. Having knowledge of pwMS’ opinions on COVID-19 pandemic impact and vaccination is useful to better address these issues. Fears and expectations towards vaccination must be discussed with pwMS.