27 May 2021

Persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) who acquire COVID-19 infection are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes when compared to those without SCI.¹ It is vital to follow all measures of precaution as possible to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and related complications. Along with social distancing and wearing appropriate face masks, vaccines are a key component of such preventive measures.

Afew different types of vaccines around the world have been found to be effective in reducing the risk of infections, with rare adverse events. On a balance, benefits of vaccines easily outweigh the risks, especially in geographical regions with ongoing high rates of infection. To date, there are no established concerns of vaccine-related additional risk to persons with SCI. We would recommend all persons with SCI to get their COVID vaccines as per their regional government guidance for general population.

¹Burns, S.P., Eberhart, A.C., Sippel, J.L. et al. Case-fatality with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in United States Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Spinal Cord 58, 1040–1041 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-020-0529-0