Vaccine Guillain Barre

About Vaccine Guillain Barre

Guillain Barre Syndrome GBS is a rare neurological condition that has been associated with some vaccines. The 1976 swine flu vaccine increased GBS risk by approximately 1 in 100,000. GBS causes ascending paralysis and can require mechanical ventilation. Most patients recover fully. GBS risk after influenza vaccination is estimated at 1 to 2 additional cases per million doses, much lower than in 1976. A small increased risk of GBS was identified after the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine, while studies have not found a similar signal for mRNA COVID vaccines. The ACIP reviews GBS data regularly. Studies indicate that influenza infection itself is associated with a higher risk of GBS than vaccination. Health authorities consider the GBS risk from current influenza vaccines to be very low. The GBS experience with the 1976 swine flu vaccine illustrates how rare adverse events can undermine vaccination programs, as the pandemic never materialized but GBS cases did.