Neuro-Immunology - Multiple Sclerosis Center

The Yale MS Center is the world’s leading center for multiple sclerosis research and clinical care. Expert, fellowship-trained neurologists collaborate with experienced nurses, therapists, and social workers to care for patients at all stages of disease. Our state-of-the-art facility in North Haven, Conn. boasts easy parking and handicapped access. Advanced MRI scanners, a clinical laboratory, and an infusion center are on-site.

In addition to receiving expert clinical care, patients at the Yale MS Center have the opportunity to participate in the rich and vibrant culture of biomedical research at Yale. The Center is at the cutting edge of clinical MS research and participates in numerous clinical trials. Through our collaborative efforts with Human Translational Immunology and the Department of Immunobiology, patients also have the opportunity to contribute to basic research, which is fundamental to advancing our understanding of multiple sclerosis.

MS Access is our unique program to expedite the diagnosis and treatment of MS. All MS Access referrals are triaged through our North Haven site. Any provider can obtain an urgent MS Access appointment for a suspected new case of optic neuritis or MS by calling 203-287-6100. We will work to see the patient in a matter of days and complete a workup including imaging and laboratory testing so treatment options can be addressed early.

The Yale Multiple Sclerosis Center is located at 6 Devine Street in North Haven, Conn. This state-of-the-art facility boasts easy parking and handicapped access for patients. Advanced MRI scanners, a clinical laboratory, and an infusion center are on-site, allowing patients the convenience of receiving all of their neurologic care in a single location. The Center offers comprehensive services including MS-specific nursing, social workers, nutritionists, and Botox® evaluation for spasticity. There is also a large research presence at the Center, allowing patients access to cutting edge research and clinical trials.

Yale MS Center
6 Devine St., Suite 2B
North Haven, CT 06437
203-287-6100

Fairfield: Yale MS physicians are available to see patients at our Fairfield neurology office, located at 75 Kings Highway Cutoff in Fairfield, Conn. The site offers several neurology subspecialties and an on-site infusion center, as well as access to clinical trials.

Yale Medicine Neurology
75 Kings Highway Cutoff
Fairfield, Conn. 06824
877-925-3637

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Stamford: Yale MS physicians are available to see patients at the Long Ridge Medical Center, located at 260 Long Ridge Rd in Stamford, Conn. The clinic provides easy parking and handicapped access for patients and is conveniently a ten-minute drive from I-95. Advanced MRI scanners, a clinical laboratory and an infusion center are on-site. The clinic offers access to physical and occupational therapy, walking evaluations and bracing, and Botox® treatment for spasticity.

Yale Medicine Neurology
260 Long Ridge Rd.
Stamford, Conn. 06902
877-925-3637

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), which causes a respiratory disease.

You are not at increased risk of infection due to having a diagnosis of MS, neuromyelitis optica, or any other neuroimmune disease. However, certain medications used to treat these diseases do lower the immune system and may therefore put you at increased risk of a severe infection with COVID-19.

The National MS Society’s National Medical Advisory Committee recommends the following:

• People with MS should follow CDC guidelines and any additional recommendations for people at risk for serious illnesses for COVID-19. Getting vaccinated, wearing a face mask, social distancing, and washing hands are among the best ways to slow the spread of the virus.
• People with MS should continue their MS disease modifying therapies (DMTs) and discuss specific risks with their MS healthcare provider prior to stopping a DMT.
• People with MS should be vaccinated against COVID-19.
• COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with MS and are safe to use with MS medications.
• There is no preferred COVID-19 vaccine for those living with MS.

All patients with MS are recommended to receive a full vaccine series against COVID-19. For people taking certain types of DMTs, including ocrelizumab (Ocrevus®), rituximab (Rituxan®), fingolimod (Gilenya®), Siponimod (Mayzent®), ozanimod (Zeposia®), and ponesimod (Ponvory®), this means receiving three full doses of vaccine instead of two.

All patients with MS, regardless of treatment status, are recommended to receive an updated, bivalent booster vaccination (released fall 2022). Visit the CDC COVID-19 vaccine website to determine eligibility for receiving a booster vaccination.

Patients with certain types of DMTs (listed above) are likely to mount only a partial immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. Nevertheless, vaccination provides some protective immunity and is an important step in preventing serious COVID-19 infections. Evusheld® is a medication that previously received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a preventative medication for immune suppressed people. Unfortunately, it is less effective against currently circulating variants of COVID-19, and our team is no longer strongly recommending it.

The recommendations reflect the expert opinion of the Yale MS physicians. They are based on a statement by the National Medical Advisory Committee, developed based on the committee members’ clinical experience and assessment of the limited data available regarding COVID-19 and MS DMTs. They have been endorsed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) and members of the MS Coalition. We are continuing to monitor this evolving situation, and these recommendations may be modified as more data becomes available.