COVID-19 vaccine

The rate of disease onset or relapse of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) after a SARS-CoV-2 infection — the virus that causes COVID-19 — is extremely low, at about 1 in 50 million, according to a worldwide review study. The occurrence of NMOSD was even lower, at 1 in…

A 67-year-old man developed a rare case of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) after his third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, a study reports. A review of published literature showed this case adds to 15 other reported cases of post-COVID-19 vaccination NMOSD onset, which appear to show similar clinical…

The CoronaVac vaccine, which contains inactivated SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, led to a severe case of late-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in a 70-year-old woman. The unique case was described in an article, “Fulminant neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) following COVID-19 vaccination: A…

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may trigger neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a case report suggests. The report, “Antibody‐Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder After Second COVID‐19 Vaccination: a Case Report,” was published in the journal SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine. Recommended…

For nearly two and a half years, I avoided catching the COVID-19 virus. When I finally ventured away from my home, I was infected. Weeks later, I’m still feeling the effects. My daughter, Sophie, was recently given an opportunity to represent Canada at a global dance competition in Portugal.

I have a theory: I’m convinced you can scream (almost) anything at a baseball game. The more obscure the cheer, the greater it is. “You call that peanut butter?!” “Turn ’em upside down!” “Let’s go, captain! Take ’em out to sea!” (This one is way more fun when said in…

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, many families are concerned about the holidays. I’m trying to approach the season with patience, but as someone with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), I’m also tired, frustrated, and scared. Living with this disease and taking immunosuppressants means I’m at a higher risk of becoming…

Like many Canadians, I grew up watching curling, a beloved national sport that helped make the long prairie winters more tolerable. I’d watch with my grandparents and cheer for the teams that made it to the Olympics. Curling transfixed me with its elegant combination of skill, athleticism, and drama.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and well-tolerated by people with the rare neurological disorders neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), MOG-antibody disease (MOGAD), and transverse myelitis in the U.S., according to a recent study. Patients surveyed about their vaccine experiences reported a rate of side effects similar to that of the…

I was hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccine because there is still limited data about its safety and efficacy in people with rare diseases. However, there is also no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines harm people with rare diseases, including people like me who are immunocompromised. I am still…