Do Vaccines Increase the Risk of Developing MS?
While prior research has identified a link between certain vaccines and an increased risk of central nervous system disorders (CNSD) such as multiple sclerosis (MS), a recent study found no evidence of such an association.
“Our data does not support a causal link between current vaccines and the risk of MS… Our findings do not warrant any change in vaccine policy,” said the study’s authors.
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For the study, researchers used data from Kaiser Permanente in Southern California to evaluate the association between vaccines and MS and other CNSD. The study included 780 cases of CNSD and 3885 control group patients.
The study showed no relationship between HPV vaccinations, Hepatitis B vaccinations, or any other vaccination and the risk of developing MS or other CNSD up to 3 years later. In patients younger than 50 years, investigators noticed an increased risk of a CNSD during the first 30 days post vaccination, but the association waned after the 30-day period.
The investigators did note that the vaccines could speed up the transition from subclinical to overt autoimmunity in patients with previously diagnosed diseases.
The complete study is published in the October issue of JAMA Neurology.
-Michelle Canales
References:
Langer-Gould A, Qian L, Tartof SY, et al. Vaccines and the risk of multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system demyelinating diseases. JAMA Neurol. 2014 October [epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2014.2633.
JAMA Network. No long-term association found between vaccines, multiple sclerosis. October 20, 2014. http://media.jamanetwork.com/news-item/no-long-term-association-found-between-vaccines-multiple-sclerosis/. Accessed October 21, 2014.