Neurologic disorders and COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 with its wide range of disease severity ranging from asymptomatic carriers to severe respiratory compromise and death, is still with us. High rates of infection and subsequent long-term sequelae have raised significant concerns, particularly for those with underlying medical illnesses, who may be more severely affected. This includes not only those treated with immunosuppressive therapies for their neurologic disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis or multiple sclerosis [MS]) but also those with significant functional disability from their disease and elderly patients with a history of cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson disease and dementia. As neurologic disorders are common, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on patients with neurologic illnesses poses a substantial public health risk. Prioritizing this population is critical when considering the risks and benefits of vaccination.