The Serono researchers assessed immune response to influenza vaccine over a four-week period in a total of 163 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
One group of MS patients received Rebif (interferon beta-1a) 44 mcg subcutaneously three times weekly for at least six months before administration of the flu vaccine and continued their Rebif treatment after the vaccination.
The control group of MS patients did not receive Rebif for six months prior to study entry and during the study.
Patients of both groups received a single dose of the same influenza vaccine, and both groups showed a similar ability to mount a positive vaccine response. More than 90% of the patients in both groups were able to mount an appropriate immune response.
No new safety concerns regarding the treatment of MS patients with Rebif were identified. The proportion of patients experiencing a vaccine-related adverse event was similar for both the Rebif-treated group and the control group.
“These results demonstrate that treatment with Rebif does not alter the immune response to influenza vaccination, and that this vaccination can be performed safely in MS patients who are treated with Rebif,” said Dr Paul Lammers, chief medical officer of Serono.