New: NCI-funded clinical trial search
Mednet Logo
CommunityNeurology

Is history of GBS a contraindication for all future flu vaccines?

2 Answers
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Neurology · University of Minnesota
Answered on

In my opinion, the answer is no.

Numerous studies have been published about this topic. Based on a recent review (see below):

  1. The additional risk for GBS attributed to influenza vaccination is 1-2 cases per million of vaccinated individuals.
  2. The risk of GBS following influenza INFECTION is several orders higher than the risk following vaccination.

While there is no consensus about this topic yet, my personal approach based on those data is to recommend against re-vaccination for influenza if the patient's Guillain Barre syndrome clearly occurred within 4-6 weeks of prior influenza vaccination and no other trigger for the GBS was identified. If the patient's GBS was not triggered by influenza vaccination, and the benefits of influenza vaccin...

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer

Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Neurology · Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Answered on

The CDC no longer warns against vaccination if one has had previous GBS. There is no evidence that prior GBS temporally related to vaccination is a risk for GBS with a future vaccination but try to convince anyone of that.

Join for free or sign in to see the full answer