Ontario patients who take certain kinds of immunosuppressive drugs can now get a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine according to the original product monograph, according to the latest recommendations from the province’s Vaccine Clinical Advisory Group.
Stratford woman in a really difficult spot must choose between MS medication or 2nd COVID-19 vaccination
A Stratford woman says Ontario s recommended COVID-19 vaccination schedule left her with the tough decision of whether to prioritize getting her second shot or push forward with the multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment that keeps her debilitating symptoms at bay.
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KITCHENER A Stratford woman says she s in a tough spot managing medication for multiple sclerosis that could impact the effectiveness of her COVID-19 vaccine. Lindsey Martchenko was able to get her first vaccine dose in March. It felt great, she said. Just a little soreness in the arm. Every six months, Martchenko gets an infusion of Ocrevus, a medication to treat multiple sclerosis. She said without the medication, she could relapse. I could all of a sudden have mobility issues, I could all of a sudden lose vision, she said. You have no idea. It s completely unpredictable. Dr. Courtney Casserly, a neurologist working at the MS clinic at University Hospital in London, Ont., said the medication prevents inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. She also said it can hinder the build up of antibodies and make patients more susceptible to severe cases of COVID-19.