Preliminary Results: Surveillance for Guillain-Barré Syndrome After Receipt of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine - United States, 2009-2010

• Published in: MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Vol. 59; no. 21; p. 657
• Main Authors: Prothro, C, K, Kudish, Fiellin, M, Meek, J, Tellman, N, Milewski, M, Hogan, B, Holtzman, C, Danila, R, Dunning, L, Lynfield, R, Scherzinger, K, Connor, W, Baumbach, J, Giambrone, G P, Zansky, S M, Smith, P F, Thomas, A, Mosites, E, Kirschke, D, Viray, M, Lewis, P, Sejvar, J, Baughman, A, Vellozzi, C, Fridkin, S, Conner, S, Morgan, O, Lu, P, Furlow, C, Singleton, J A, Hale, C R, Kattan, J, Murphree, R, Oh, J Y, Wise, M
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta U.S. Center for Disease Control 04-06-2010
• Subjects: Inflammatory diseases; Nervous system; Paralysis; Risk factors; Swine flu; Vaccines; United States > US
• ISSN: 0149-2195; 1545-861X

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an uncommon peripheral neuropathy causing paralysis and in severe cases respiratory failure and death. GBS often follows an antecedent gastrointestinal or upper respiratory illness but, in rare cases, can follow vaccination. A vaccination against a novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus was associated with a statistically significant increased risk for GBS in the 42 days after vaccination. To monitor influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine safety, several federal surveillance systems, including CDC's Emerging Infections Program (EIP), are being used. Surveillance and further analyses are ongoing. A CDC editorial note is also presented.