Guillain-Barré Syndrome After Influenza Vaccination

The potential risk for GBS warrants vigilance but should not discourage vaccination.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy that may follow triggering events such as infections and vaccination. The relative risk for GBS (“extensive” paresis or paralysis) after administration of the 1976–1977 inactivated swine influenza A (H1N1) vaccine was significantly increased, ranging from 4.0 to 7.8 for the 6-week period following vaccination. Studies of influenza vaccination in subsequent years, however, have found either no increase in risk (for the years 1978–1988; N Engl J Med 1981; 304:1557 and Am J Epidemiol 1991; 133:952) or an increase of about one case of GBS per million vaccinations (for 1992–1994; N Engl J Med 1998; 339:1797). To assess the potential association between …

Reviewing Author

Michael Benatar, MD, MS, PhD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportNIH NeuroBioBank; ALS Association; NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; FDA; Department of Defense

Editorial boardsCochrane Collaboration

Leadership positions in professional societiesMuscle Study Group Executive Committee

Michael Benatar, MD, MS, PhD

Disclosures

Editorial boardsCochrane Collaboration

Leadership positions in professional societiesMuscle Study Group Executive Committee