If you’re living with multiple sclerosis (MS), staying protected against COVID-19 continues to matter — especially as new variants circulate. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new set of COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 season, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released updated vaccine guidance.

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Here’s what you should know about this year’s booster, how it works, who qualifies, and how to make a plan with your care team.

1. New Boosters Target the LP.8.1 Variant This Season

The COVID-19 vaccines are reformulated each year to better match the most commonly circulating virus strains. For the 2025-2026 season, the FDA directed vaccine manufacturers to update their formulas using a monovalent JN.1 lineage, specifically the LP.8.1 strain.

The FDA has approved 2025-2026 booster formulas for:

• Pfizer’s Comirnaty — A messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine for people ages 5 to 64 years with at least one condition that raises the risk of severe COVID-19, and for all adults 65 and older
• Moderna’s Spikevax — An mRNA vaccine for people ages 6 months to 64 years with a high-risk condition, and all adults 65 and older
• Moderna mNexspike — A lower-dose mRNA vaccine for people ages 12 to 64 years with a high-risk health condition, and all adults 65 and older
• Novavax’s Nuvaxovid — An adjuvanted, protein-based vaccine for people ages 12 to 64 years with a high-risk health condition, and all adults 65 and older

How Are the Boosters Different?

The main difference is how they’re made. Pfizer and Moderna use mRNA technology, which gives your cells instructions to make a harmless piece of the virus so your immune system learns to fight it. The Novax vaccine is protein-based (a more traditional vaccine type). It delivers a purified piece of the virus protein with an adjuvant to boost your immune response.

For most people, any of the three options offer similar protection against severe illness. All are approved for high-risk groups, including people with MS.

2. People With MS May Be at Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19

COVID-19 doesn’t just affect the lungs. It can trigger widespread inflammation and disrupt how the immune system works — potentially leading to problems throughout the body. For people living with multiple sclerosis, especially those on immunomodulatory therapies or with advanced disease, the impact of COVID-19 can be more serious in certain circumstances.

People with MS may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 if:

• They have significant disability or progressive disease — People who require assistive devices, have reduced mobility, or have progressive MS often fare worse with infections.
• They take certain immune-modifying or immune-depleting therapies — Some disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), especially B-cell depleting agents (e.g. ocrelizumab, rituximab) or sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) modulators, may impair vaccine responses or increase vulnerability to infection.
• They use high-dose corticosteroids or recent pulse steroids — Strong immunosuppression during or just after steroid use can heighten the risk of worse COVID-19 outcomes.
• They have other health conditions or are older in age — Factors like obesity, diabetes, or cardiovascular or lung disease increase risk for people with MS, just as in the general population.

It’s worth noting that having MS alone doesn’t appear to significantly raise your risk of catching COVID-19 or automatically lead to a more severe course — but the combination of treatments, disability level, and comorbidities matters.

Can COVID-19 Be Cured?

While most people recover fully from a COVID-19 infection, some develop long COVID, a condition where symptoms persist or reappear weeks or even months after the initial infection. These may include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and joint pain.

There are treatments available for COVID-19, including antiviral medications like nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), remdesivir (Veklury), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio). These treatments work best when started early — ideally within the first few days of symptoms.

Not everyone can take these medications. They may interact with other prescriptions or be unsafe for people with certain health conditions. Your doctor can help determine whether one of these treatments is right for you.

3. Health Experts Agree COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe for People With MS

Leading neurology and MS organizations strongly recommend people with MS stay current with COVID-19 vaccinations — particularly those on immunomodulatory therapies or with additional risk factors.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and MS Coalition, getting vaccinated is among the best ways to reduce the risk of serious complications, hospitalization, and long COVID. While MS itself does not inherently mean higher risk of vaccine side effects, certain therapies and disease states can influence a vaccine’s effectiveness and timing.

Experts generally advise that people with MS:

• Get the COVID-19 vaccine when eligible — Completing the full initial series and staying up to date with booster doses offers the best protection.
• Talk to your neurologist about timing — For some DMTs, your neurologist might suggest spacing vaccine doses relative to the DMT dose for the best immune response.
• Know that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe — The available vaccines are nonlive mRNA or vector vaccines (which do not contain replicating viruses). They are not expected to trigger MS relapses or long-term worsening of disease.
• Understand that you may need extra doses and tailored schedules — Because some DMTs can blunt the antibody response, additional booster doses or adjusted regimens may be recommended.

Separately, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that people decide whether to get a COVID-19 vaccination based on individual decision-making. This approach is similar to guidance around the annual flu shot: You and your doctor can work together to decide what’s right for you.

4. If You’re Living With Multiple Sclerosis, Timing Matters

If you’re considering the updated COVID-19 vaccine, here are important timing steps to talk through with your care team:

• Ask if you qualify based on your age and health history.
• Plan around your treatment cycles. Your neurologist may recommend receiving the vaccine during a time when your immune system is more stable.
• Check the timing of your last COVID-19 dose. The updated booster should be given at least two months after your most recent shot.

You can also add extra layers of protection by:

• Wearing a high-quality mask in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces
• Practicing frequent and thorough handwashing
• Improving ventilation by opening windows or using air filters
• Testing right away if you have symptoms or believe you’ve been exposed

These added steps help lower your risk during treatment weeks or in high-risk situations.

5. Your Doctor Can Help Personalize Your Plan

Every person’s journey is different — and so is their COVID-19 risk. Your care team can help you figure out:

• When to get the updated vaccine
• How it fits into your treatment schedule
• What precautions make the most sense for your lifestyle and health goals

Bringing the FDA guidance with you to your next doctor visit can be helpful. It gives you and your provider a starting point to talk about timing, eligibility, and any questions you may have.

6. Most Insurance Plans Cover COVID-19 Boosters

If the CDC recommends a COVID-19 booster for you, most insurance plans — including Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance — will cover it at no cost. This includes the updated vaccines for the 2025-2026 season. Coverage generally applies as long as the shot is given by a provider in your insurance network.

That said, plan details can vary. Call your insurance provider or check your plan’s website to confirm coverage and avoid any surprises. If you don’t have medical insurance, free COVID-19 vaccines may still be available through public health clinics or federal programs.

Find Your Team

On MyMSTeam, people share their experiences with multiple sclerosis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What influenced your choice to get — or not get — the new COVID-19 booster? Let others know in the comments below.