MSAA Releases Educational Video Series: COVID-19 Vaccines and MS

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) has released an educational video series about COVID-19 vaccines. Titled COVID-19 Vaccines and MS, topics include the importance of getting vaccinated and receiving a booster, the impact on communities of color, and the cultural context of vaccines. The series of six videos, including two presented in Spanish, features MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Barry Hendin, and distinguished members of MSAA’s African American and Hispanic/Latinx Advisory Boards.

What you can expect

This video series is comprised of six videos total, organized in pairs of two as follows:

• The Importance of Getting Vaccinated
• Why Get a Booster Shot?

These first two videos of the series are presented by Barry Hendin, MD and focus on information pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccines and subsequent booster shots. Topics include how the COVID-19 vaccine works, the impact of COVID-19 on the MS population, and key considerations all individuals with MS should keep in mind about the current pandemic.

• The Detrimental Impact of COVID-19 on the African American MS Community
• The Cultural Context of Vaccine Hesitancy

The second pair of videos in this series offers insight into the impact COVID-19 has had on the African American MS community. Featured speaker Mitzi Joi Williams, MD, FAAN, explains some of the historical context that drives vaccine hesitancy, clarifies why the current COVID-19 vaccines are recommended, and offers key considerations for this patient population.

• La Importancia de Vacunarse
• El Contexto Cultural de la Vacilación de las Vacunas

The final pair of videos in the series are presented by Lilyana Amezcua, MD, MS, FAAN. They have been developed in conjunction with the goals of MSAA’s Hispanic/Latinx Advisory Board to identify and address unmet needs and challenges facing the Latinx MS community. The first video includes similar content as the initial video covering how the COVID-19 vaccines work, the impact of COVID-19 on the MS population, and key considerations all individuals with MS should keep in mind about the current pandemic. The second and final video also explains some of the historical context that drives vaccine hesitancy and clarifies why the current COVID-19 vaccines are recommended.

Please note that both of the above videos are presented in Spanish with subtitles.

Further information on COVID-19 vaccines and MS

While it is recommended that most people with MS should be vaccinated and get boosters for COVID-19, there are certain exceptions. The decision on whether to get vaccinated or boosted is ultimately a discussion individuals should have with their clinician.

Watch MSAA's entire COVID-19 Vaccines and MS video series by visiting this link.