Search for:
Search for:
Healthcare Professionals
Publications
News
EspaƱol
Contact
Magazine
Radio
Get Educated
What is MS?
A chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, comprised of the brain...
More Details
Educational Materials
Common Questions
Lending Library
Symptoms
Treatment Options
Additional Resources
Research
MS Awareness Month
Donate
Get Help
Health & Wellness Program
Get educational materials and referrals, as well as the opportunity to participate in various...
Learn More
Grants & Programs
Awareness Campaigns
Support Groups
Events
Lending Library
Additional Resources
Get Involved
MS Awareness Month
An annual, nationwide campaign with goals to promote an understanding of MS, and to assist those...
Learn More
Advocacy
Buy from Partners
Volunteer
Businesses
MS Research Trials
Outreach
Awareness Campaigns
Host an Event
Events
Test Flyout
lorem ipsum dolor sit lorem ipsum dolor sit lorem ipsum dolor sit lorem ipsum dolor sit lorem...
Learn More
Events Calendar
Health & Wellness
Fundraisers
Support
Web & Teleconferences
MS Education
Host an Event
About Us
Programs & Grants
More Details
Overview
Press Room
Leadership
Financial Statements
Our Mission
Careers at MS Focus
Affiliations
News & Features
MS Focus At Sea
MS Focus At Sea offers educational programs, opportunities to meet old and new friends, and adventures for every...
/Events/MSF-Events/MSFocus-Cruise-For-A-Cause
Computer Program
The MS Focus Computer Program provides laptop or desktop computers for individuals with MS on...
/Get-Help/MSF-Programs-Grants/Computer-Program
Shop
Privacy
Terms of Use
Site Map
Study: Vaccinations not a risk factor for MS
August 02, 2019
A new study shows that five years before their diagnosis, MS patients were statistically less likely to receive vaccinations than comparator groups. The researchers found no link between vaccinations and the development of MS.
Vaccinations are often mentioned as a possible risk factor for MS. Scientists from the Technical University of Munich and the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians analyzed a large KVB dataset representative of the general population. The data covered more than 200,000 individuals, including more than 12,000 MS patients.
The researchers found that five years before being diagnosed, individuals who went on to develop MS had received fewer vaccinations than those who did not develop MS. This applied to all the vaccines investigated: those against pneumococci, meningococci, mumps, measles, rubella, chickenpox, human papilloma virus, hepatitis A and B, tick-borne encephalitis and influenza. The effect was particularly pronounced in the latter three cases: the control group had received significantly more vaccinations than the individuals who later developed MS.
The researchers said that given the large volume of data analyzed, they can conclusively state that there is no evidence that recent vaccination increases the likelihood of MS or the onset of an initial MS episode.
The study was published in
Neurology
, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
MS Focus Lending Library
Books, DVDs, and CDs are available for loan, by mail across the United States.
Learn more