Covid-19 Vaccine Immune Response in Multiple Sclerosis (CoVaR-MS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Covid-19 Vaccine Immune Response in Multiple Sclerosis (CoVaR-MS)
IRAS ID
295939
Contact name
Keira Watts
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 3 days
Research summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an immune condition. Most of the treatments used for MS weaken the immune system which can means people with MS are at a higher risk of catching infections, or may not build up an adequate immune response (a good enough protection) against infections. For a vaccine to offer a good protection, the body must build up a strong immune response against the infection. Although people with MS are given the standard COVID-19 vaccine and doses, we do not know what their immune response is like or if extra measures are needed (like additional booster vaccines). This is why this study is important and why we are inviting you to take part.
The CoVaR-MS study aims to find out more about how effective (good) the immune response is to COVID-19 vaccines, in patients with MS, both on and off MS treatments. In order to fight a virus, such as COVID-19, our immune system relies on B-cells which make antibodies and T-Cells which either attack cells infected with the virus directly, or help B cells make antibodies. So in this study, by “immune response” we mean the ability to develop antibodies and T-cells.
We are planning to study the immune response to full course of the COVID-19 vaccine in people with MS (on and off treatment) and compare this to people without MS or immune disorder (control group). As well as the MS treatments, underlying health conditions may also affect the immune system and we will be collecting this information to further our understanding.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
21/WA/0393
Date of REC Opinion
13 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion