The importance of timing when vaccinating against COVID-19 in individuals treated with rituximab

Although rates of hospitalization for COVID-19 were low across treated and untreated cohorts, hospitalization was significantly more likely for individuals with multiple sclerosis treated with rituximab in the last 6 months (adjusted OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.10–0.49).
Both initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (P=0.03) and booster vaccination (P=0.002) were independently associated with a reduced risk for hospitalization with COVID-19.
The authors concluded that SARS-CoV-2 vaccination does offer protection against hospitalization with COVID-19 but should be administered and boosted >6 months after treatment with rituximab.