Epilepsy & COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that:

• Is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus
• Can spread through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, breathes, or speaks
• Can cause some people to become severely ill or die, although most people don't get very sick. Older people and people with underlying medical conditions are more likely to develop serious illness or die

Older adults and some people with medical conditions who get COVID-19 have a greater risk of severe illness or death.

Managing the risks of COVID-19

People living with epilepsy who have other medical problems could be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 compared to those with epilepsy who don’t have other medical problems. Talk with your epilepsy doctor if you have these problems:

• Problems swallowing
• Inhaling food or liquids
• Diabetes
• Heart problems
• Lung problems
• Other conditions or developmental issues that affect immunity

COVID-19 Vaccine & Epilepsy

Talk to your epilepsy doctor or pharmacist about your personal risks and benefits of getting the vaccine.

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective
• Some people get side effects such as fever or tiredness after being vaccinated. Side effects usually go away in a few days
• There is no evidence that people living with epilepsy have worse side effects than other people or that vaccination makes epilepsy worse or causes brain injury
• People with epilepsy who have seizures triggered by fever should take extra care after being vaccinated