Last week, the FDA added a new statement to the Janssen vaccine Factsheet for Healthcare Providers, warning of an increased incidence of Guillain-Barré Syndrome among vaccine recipients. This warning was issued after cases in India and the United Kingdom were published in the Annals of Neurology. Although the warning only applies to the Janssen vaccine, at least one case has also been reported following Pfizer vaccination.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a condition in which the immune system attacks peripheral nerves, the nerves responsible for sending signals for motion and sensation between the body and the brain, resulting in pain and weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis and death. Although most people recover, symptoms may linger for a long time. Guillain-Barré Syndrome is triggered by various conditions that cause inflammation, including infection, surgery, trauma, and cancer. Rarely influenza and childhood vaccines have been associated with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome was identified as a complication of COVID-19 early in the pandemic. Subsequent studies demonstrate that these cases are “not due to a direct attack of the virus, but rather to an immunological reaction to the virus.” Now we learn this long-recognized complication of COVID-19 can also be an adverse effect of a COVID vaccine.
The warning for Guillain-Barré Syndrome is the third FDA statement of an immune mediated vaccine complication, adding to the precautions previously issued for myocarditis and clotting disorders. Interestingly, myocarditis and clotting disorders have also been recognized as complications of COVID-19.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that COVID-19 has two separate disease pathways. The first is the direct effect of the virus. The second is the response of our immune system to the virus. Vaccines intentionally stimulate this immune response. Is it surprising that adverse vaccine effects overlap with COVID-19? Expect more examples of autoimmune complications of COVID vaccines.
5 replies on “A New Vaccine Warning: Guillain-Barré Syndrome”
My dad’s friend had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Horrible.
[…] has been associated with significant adverse effects, including death. Guillain-Barré Syndrome, inflammation of the heart, blood clots, anaphylaxis—and these are just the labelled […]
I had GBS back in 2007 and it nearly killed me. At my lowest point all I could do was move one eye. 3 weeks on a ventilator. They valued me miracle boy and “our GBSboy” at the hospital. My neurologist said he’d never seen someone get GBS that severe and survive. I’m lucky, but have lasting nerve pain in my legs and feet to this day and haunting memories of being a prisoner in my own body suffering excruciating nerve pain for weeks on end.
Needless to say, I’m a bit sensitive to any push for younger individuals (I’m 40 now) to get this vaccine considering the GBS factor. It’s terrifying to me.
Thank you for the information you are sharing!
[…] pericarditis, cardiac arrhythmias, migraines, cognitive deficits, Guillain–Barré syndrome, Bell’s Palsy, and blood clots. These symptoms sometimes appear with infection, but […]
[…] a thin veneer of study and testing. What we know of vaccine risks—myocarditis, blood clots, neuromuscular disorders, death—is scary enough. What we don’t know is even scarier. Some of these potential […]