Recommendations by the Scientific Department of Neuroimmunology of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology (DCNI/ABN) and the Brazilian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunological Diseases (BCTRIMS) on vaccination in general and specifically against SARS-CoV-2 for patients with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system
Authors: Becker Jefferson , Ferreira Lis Campos , Damasceno Alfredo , Bichuetti Denis Bernardi , Christo Paulo Pereira , Callegaro Dagoberto , Peixoto Marco Aurélio Lana , Sousa Nise Alessandra De Carvalho , Almeida Sérgio Monteiro De , Adoni Tarso , Santiago-Amaral Juliana , Junqueira Thiago , Pereira Samira Luisa Apóstolos , Gomes Ana Beatriz Ayroza Galvão Ribeiro , Pitombeira Milena , Paolilo Renata Barbosa , Grzesiuk Anderson Kuntz , Piccolo Ana Claudia , D´Almeida José Arthur Costa , Gomes Neto Antonio Pereira , Oliveira Augusto Cesar Penalva De , Oliveira Bianca Santos De , Tauil Carlos Bernardo , Vasconcelos Claudia Ferreira , Kaimen-Maciel Damacio , Varela Daniel , Diniz Denise Sisterolli , Oliveira Enedina Maria Lobato De , Malfetano Fabiola Rachid , Borges Fernando Elias , Figueira Fernando Faria Andrade , Gondim Francisco De Assis Aquino , Passos Giordani Rodrigues Dos , Silva Guilherme Diogo , Olival Guilherme Sciascia Do , Santos Gutemberg Augusto Cruz Dos , Ruocco Heloisa Helena , Sato Henry Koiti , Soares Neto Herval Ribeiro , Cortoni Calia Leandro , Gonçalves Marcus Vinícius Magno , Vecino Maria Cecilia Aragón De , Pimentel Maria Lucia Vellutini , Ribeiro Marlise De Castro , Boaventura Mateus , Parolin Mônica Koncke Fiuza , Melo Renata Brant De Souza , Lázaro Robson , Thomaz Rodrigo Barbosa , Kleinpaul Rodrigo , Dias Ronaldo Maciel , Gomes Sidney , Lucatto Simone Abrante , Alves-Leon Soniza Vieira , Fukuda Thiago , Ribeiro Taysa Alexandrino Gonsalves Jubé , Winckler Thereza Cristina D’ávila , Fragoso Yara Dadalti , Nascimento Osvaldo José Moreira Do , Ferreira Maria Lucia Brito , Mendes Maria Fernanda , Brum Doralina Guimarães , Glehn Felipe Von 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACT The Scientific Department of Neuroimmunology of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology (DCNI/ABN) and Brazilian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunological Diseases (BCTRIMS) provide recommendations in this document for vaccination of the population with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) against infections in general and against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19. We emphasize the seriousness of the current situation in view of the spread of COVID-19 in our country. Therefore, reference guides on vaccination for clinicians, patients, and public health authorities are particularly important to prevent some infectious diseases. The DCNI/ABN and BCTRIMS recommend that patients with CNS demyelinating diseases (e.g., MS and NMOSD) be continually monitored for updates to their vaccination schedule, especially at the beginning or before a change in treatment with a disease modifying drug (DMD). It is also important to note that vaccines are safe, and physicians should encourage their use in all patients. Clearly, special care should be taken when live attenuated viruses are involved. Finally, it is important for physicians to verify which DMD the patient is receiving and when the last dose was taken, as each drug may affect the induction of immune response differently.