Final COVID-19 Vaccination Status, Attitude, and Adverse Events Among People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study From Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Until the World Health Organization declared an end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency worldwide in 2023, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) were hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This study aimed to assess the final vaccination status, attitude, and adverse events related to the COVID-19 vaccine among people with MS in Egypt.

Methods: A self-administered survey was offered to people with MS who came to the Alexandria University MS Clinic in Egypt between June 2023 and November 2023.

Results: Of 150 surveys completed, 77% of participants were women. Their median age was 35.5 years (range, 19-59 years); their median disease duration was 4 years. Only 81 (54%) participants received a COVID-19 vaccine. Of that 81, 81.5% received 2 doses. The median fear of COVID-19 score (FCV-19S) was 11, and 15.3% had high levels of fear. Worrying about the worsening effect of the vaccine on MS (69.3%) and about the long-term adverse events (AEs) of the vaccines (63.3%) were the most common causes of fear. The only factor that was significantly related to receiving the vaccine was the FCV-19S score (P = .049). Among those who received the vaccine, fatigue was the most common AE reported in 48%; 5% had a neurological relapse. No other serious AEs occurred.

Conclusions: In this study, almost half of study participants with MS did not receive a COVID-19 vaccination, mainly due to fear. AEs attributed to the vaccine were mild. Implementing educational programs during future pandemics will be necessary to improve the vaccination rates of people with MS.