A new study of a series of cases in the Journal of Neurology examines possible links between Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and acute Central Nervous System (CNS) demyelination, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Demyelinating diseases damage the protective covering surrounding nerve fibers in the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord, causing neurological problems.
In the study, four patients had the Pfizer vaccine and three had the Moderna vaccine. Within 21 days of the first or second dose, the patients developed active CNS demyelination of the optic nerve, brain, and/or spinal cord leading to “visual loss, dysmetria, gait instability, paresthesias, sphincter disturbance, and limb weakness.”
Age ranged from 24 to 64 years old. Four patients were ultimately diagnoses with exacerbation of their stable MS.
Two were diagnosed with new cases of MS.
One was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica.
An examination of Covid-19 adverse events reports shows hundreds of thousands of reports of illnesses and symptoms suffered by some people who are ultimately diagnosed with CNS demyelination or Multiple Sclerosis.
Public health officials say the benefits of the vaccines used in the U.S. outweigh the risks. The case studies raise the possibility that some patients may suffer serious neurological side effects and/or an aggravation of their Multiple Sclerosis.
