A recent review published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology found that COVID-19 vaccination lowers the risk of infection and does not exacerbate myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms.
In autoimmune diseases like MG, the body’s immune system attacks itself by mistake. In MG, this causes muscle weakness. People with MG may feel tired or have trouble with simple movements like lifting their arms, chewing or even breathing.
Some people with MG have worried that getting a COVID-19 vaccine might cause their symptoms to flare up. To better understand this risk, researchers reviewed five different studies, totalling 27,193 people. Of those, 22,618 were vaccinated and 4,575 were not.
The results showed that people who got the COVID-19 vaccine were much less likely to get infected with the virus. At the same time, the studies did not show a meaningful increase in MG flare-ups after vaccination.
While some of the studies were small, “the overall findings consistently support the effectiveness and safety of vaccination in MG patients,” the researchers said. “These results offer timely reassurance for clinicians and patients, highlighting that the benefits of vaccination clearly outweigh potential risks.”
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Because some people feel unsure or worried about vaccines, doctors should talk openly with patients and share clear facts from research studies like this one, the researchers said.
Each patient is different, so doctors should create a care plan that fits the person’s needs, they added. This plan may depend on how active the disease is, what medicines the patient is taking (especially drugs that affect the immune system) and which type of vaccine is being used.
“In summary, vaccination remains a cornerstone of infectious disease prevention — even in patients with autoimmune neuromuscular disorders — and should be actively promoted to ensure both personal protection and broader public health benefit,” the researchers said.
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