COVID-19 Vaccine Failure in a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis on Ocrelizumab

Vaccines (Basel). 2021 Mar 4;9(3):219. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9030219.

Abstract

Vaccines will play a key role in ending the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination against infections remains an important part of the management of patients with multiple sclerosis. However, there are limited data about the safety and efficacy of the currently available COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in patients with multiple sclerosis receiving concurrent immunosuppressive therapies. Patients on B cell depleting therapy such as ocrelizumab have an attenuated vaccine response. We report the first case of COVID-19 vaccine failure in a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis on B cell depleting therapy, ocrelizumab. We offer suggestions to improve vaccine efficacy in these patients.

Keywords: B-Cell; COVID-19; humoral immunity; multiple sclerosis; ocrelizumab; vaccination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports