# Discrepancy Between Vaccination Willingness and Actual SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Status in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Longitudinal Study

## TL;DR

This study finds that many people with multiple sclerosis who said they wanted the COVID-19 vaccine did not actually get it, and identifies factors linked to this gap.

## Contribution

The study reveals specific sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in people with MS.

## Key findings

- 18.1% of participants who were unwilling to vaccinate remained unvaccinated.
- Unvaccinated participants were less likely to live with a partner and had higher smoking rates.
- Vaccine hesitancy was not significantly linked to age, sex, depression, or anxiety.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a significant health risk, especially for individuals with chronic medical conditions. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent chronic, immune-mediated neurological disorder, and vaccinations are essential to its management. This study aimed to compare the reported willingness to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 with the actual vaccination status among people with MS (pwMS) and identify factors explaining the discrepancy. Methods: In a longitudinal, two-center study, we analyzed 149 patients aged 18 or older with a diagnosis of clinically isolated syndrome or MS. The participants completed three surveys: a baseline survey (from June 2019 to June 2020), a pre-vaccine follow-up (from May to July 2020), and a post-vaccine follow-up (from October 2021 to January 2022). The data included sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological information. Results: Among the 149 participants, 122 (81.9%) received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, while 27 (18.1%) did not. The pwMS who were unwilling to become vaccinated and remained unvaccinated were less likely to live with a partner, had higher smoking rates, took more medications, had a higher number of previously discontinued disease-modifying therapies, and found pandemic policies inappropriate. No significant associations were found between vaccination willingness/status and factors like age, sex, depression, or anxiety. Conclusions: This study highlights the gap between vaccination willingness and actual status in pwMS, revealing factors associated with vaccine hesitancy. The findings of this study offer insights into addressing vaccine uptake.