No Association Between Pandemic H1N1 Flu Vaccine and Guillain-Barré Syndrome

In a multinational case-control study, the increased risk seen in unadjusted analyses disappeared after adjustment for influenza-like illness/upper respiratory tract infections and seasonal influenza vaccination.

In 1976, a vaccination campaign aimed at preventing swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) was halted after authorities observed a sevenfold increase in risk for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an acute symmetrical polyneuropathy. Since then, concern about this adverse effect has been a major factor in decreasing the acceptance of both seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. However, the role of influenza vaccines in triggering GBS remains controversial.

To determine whether GBS risk was increased among recipients of adjuvanted pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccines, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control commissioned a five-country case-control study (total source population, 50 million). Cases occurring ≤6 weeks after vaccinat…

Reviewing Author

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

No Association Between Pandemic H1N1 Flu Vaccine and Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Topics

Reviewing Author