Suggested vaccines for adult people with MS
| Vaccine | Type | Schedule | Recommendation in MS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boostrix-IPV | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular) and polio (inactivated) | Single intramuscular dose any time from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks of pregnancy | Pregnant women with MS |
| Gardasil | Human papillomavirus 6, 11, 16 and 18 (recombinant) | 3 intramuscular doses at months 0, 2 and 6. All three doses should be given within a 1-year period | People with MS aged ≤25 years who are unimmunised or partially immunised against human papillomavirus |
| Gardasil 9 | Human papillomavirus 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 (recombinant) | 3 intramuscular doses at months 0, 2 and 6. All three doses should be given within a 1-year period | People with MS aged ≤25 years who are unimmunised or partially immunised against human papillomavirus |
| Trivalent influenza vaccine | Influenza virus (inactivated) | Single intramuscular dose every year | People with MS aged ≥65 years |
| Quadrivalent influenza vaccine | Influenza virus (inactivated) | Single intramuscular/SC dose every year | People with MS aged <65 years (including pregnant women with MS) |
| Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine | Pneumococcus (polysaccharide) | Single intramuscular/SC dose | People with MS aged ≥65 years. Also, regardless of age: patients who anticipate long-term immunosuppression and for those with compromised pulmonary function or high levels of disability (EDSS ≥7) |
| Priorix or M-M-RvaxPro | MMR vaccines (live-attenuated vaccine)* | 2 intramuscular/SC doses given 4 weeks apart | People with MS who are susceptible to primary MMR infections |
| Varilrix | VZV (live-attenuated vaccine)* | 2 SC doses given 6 weeks apart | People with MS who are susceptible to primary VZV infection |
| Varivax | VZV (live-attenuated vaccine)* | 2 intramuscular/SC doses given 4–8 weeks apart | People with MS who are susceptible to primary VZV infection |
| Zostavax | VZV (live-attenuated vaccine)* | Single intramuscular/SC dose | Prevention of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in people with MS aged 70–79 years** |
| Shingrix | VZV (recombinant) | 2 intramuscular doses separated by 2–6 months | Prevention of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in people with MS aged ≥50 years |
*This vaccine should not be given to people who are already on an immunosuppressive disease-modifying therapy.
**Zostavax is licensed for immunisation of people aged ≥50 years and can be used outside of the national immunisation programme based on clinical discretion.
EDSS, Expanded Disability Status Scale; MMR, measles, mumps and rubella; MS, multiple sclerosis; SC: subcutaneous; VZV, varicella-zoster virus.