Warning about possible risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome with viral vector COVID-19 vaccines

19/07/2021

  • S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

On 13 July 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an update to Janssen's COVID-19 vaccine fact sheets to include a warning that the vaccine could cause a possible increased risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), though at present the data are not sufficient to establish a causal link. The FDA indicated that there have been 100 preliminary reports of GBS following vaccination with the Janssen vaccine, with approximately 12.5 million doses having been administered. Of these reported cases, 95 were serious and required hospitalization. There was one reported death. Each year in the United States, an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people develop GBS. GBS has also been observed at an increased rate associated with certain vaccines, including certain seasonal influenza vaccines and a vaccine to prevent shingles. No similar signal has been identified with the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. 

The FDA has also evaluated the available information for the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and continues to find that the benefits clearly outweigh the known and potential risks. It notes that vaccine recipients should seek medical attention right away if they develop any of the following symptoms after receiving the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine: weakness or tingling sensations, especially in the legs or arms that worsens and spreads to other parts of the body; difficulty walking; difficulty with facial movements, including speaking, chewing or swallowing; double vision or inability to move the eyes; or difficulty with bladder control or bowel function. 

Source: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-july-13-2021  

 

  • The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine

 

On 19 July 2021, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published updated information on AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine, which, in the section on warnings and special precautions for use, includes the following:

 

Neurological events: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) has been reported very rarely following vaccination with Vaxzevria. Healthcare professionals should be alert to GBS signs and symptoms to ensure correct diagnosis, in order to initiate adequate supportive care and treatment, and to rule out other causes.  

 

Source: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/vaxzevria-previously-covid-19-vaccineastrazeneca-epar-product-information_en.pdf    

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