H1N1 Vaccine Linked to
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
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H1N1 Vaccine Linked to Guillain-Barré Syndrome
UKPA
August 16, 2009
Nerve disease alert over flu jab
(UKPA) – 1 day ago
Doctors have been put on alert for cases of a nerve disease following
the introduction of a vaccine for swine flu, it has emerged.
Health chiefs said there was an increased risk of developing Guillain-
Barre syndrome after a flu-like illness, but stressed there was no
evidence linking it to the vaccination.
The syndrome, which affects about 1,500 people a year in the UK,
attacks the nervous system and can result in temporary paralysis.
Its exact cause is unclear but many people affected by it have had a
viral or bacterial infection a few weeks earlier.
A Health Protection Agency (HPA) spokesman said enhanced
surveillance was "routine" when introducing a new vaccine.
More than 13 million people in the UK, including people with asthma,
diabetes, heart disease, renal disease or with a compromised immune
system, will get the jab from October. It is anticipated the normal
seasonal flu vaccine may be given at the same time.
The spokesman said: "Guillain-Barre syndrome has long been
identified as a potential adverse event that would require enhanced
surveillance following the introduction of a pandemic vaccine, but
there is no evidence to suggest there is an increased risk of Guillain-
Barre syndrome from this vaccine.
"There is robust evidence that no increased risk of Guillain-Barre
syndrome arises from seasonal flu vaccination.
"Establishing enhanced surveillance on Guillain-Barre syndrome has
always been part of our pandemic plan because there is an increased
risk of this disease after a flu-like illness.
"The HPA is working in collaboration with the Association of British
Neurologists Surveillance Unit (BNSU) and the British Paediatric
Surveillance Unit (BPSU) who will ask clinicians to report each month
whether they have seen any cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome."