Publication date: Jul 10, 2025

Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) often receive immunosuppressive treatments. While approved COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent severe infections, the impact of vaccination among immunocompromised MG patients remains unclear. This study explored vaccination status, adverse events, and post-vaccination outcomes among MG patients. A REDCap survey was conducted between September 21, 2021 and November 18, 2021 through the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America to collect data on demographic and disease characteristics, COVID-19 infections, vaccination status, and precaution strategies. A follow-up survey was available from January 11, 2022 to March 8, 2022. A total of 1205 participants [65. 7% female, average age 59. 6 +/- 15. 4 years] completed the survey. Most were White or Caucasian (87. 9%), 63. 6% held a bachelor’s degree or higher, and 41. 9% were retired. Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positivity was reported by 47%, MuSK-Ab positivity by 6. 1%, and 19. 6% were seronegative. Most (75%) were on immunosuppressive therapy, and the vaccination rate was 91. 5%. Among COVID-19 vaccine recipients, 61. 5% reported adverse effects, while 8. 5% of participants remained unvaccinated due to concerns about side effects (65%) and potential worsening of MG symptoms (70. 9%). Post-vaccination COVID-19 infection rates dropped from 9. 7% to 2. 4%. Hospitalization decreased from 2. 3% to 0. 3%, and MG exacerbation rates from 5. 5% to 1. 4%. COVID-19 vaccination acceptance is high among MG patients. Reported side effects in MG patients were comparable to those in the general population, and vaccination was associated with a reduced COVID-19 infection rate. Addressing concerns about vaccine side effects and providing efficacy data specific to MG could aid unvaccinated individuals in decision-making.

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