Flu Vaccine–Associated Neurological and Immunologic Sequelae

Concern about possible neurological and immunologic complications is thought to be one of the main factors driving avoidance of influenza vaccination. Now, researchers have examined the incidence of such complications in Sweden, where a population-based vaccination program with the monovalent adjuvanted pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine Pandemrix occurred from October 2009 to March 2010.

Using data on influenza vaccination and information on healthcare utilization in Stockholm County for October 2009 through August 2010, these researchers compared the incidence of autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 1 diabetes) and neurological conditions (including Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell palsy,…