Guillain-Barre syndrome following vaccination in the National Influenza Immunization Program, United States, 1976--1977

• Published in: American journal of epidemiology Vol. 110; no. 2; p. 105
• Main Authors: Schonberger, L B, Bregman, D J, Sullivan-Bolyai, J Z, Keenlyside, R A, Ziegler, D W, Retailliau, H F, Eddins, D L, Bryan, J A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.1979
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Continental Population Groups; Drug Industry; Female; Humans; Influenza Vaccines - adverse effects; Male; Middle Aged; Polyradiculoneuropathy - diagnosis; Polyradiculoneuropathy - epidemiology; Polyradiculoneuropathy - etiology; Sex Ratio; Time Factors; United States; United States
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a112795
• ISSN: 0002-9262

Because of an increase in the number of reports of Guillian-Barre syndrome (GBS) following A/New Jersey influenza vaccination, the National Influenza Immunization Program was suspended December 16, 1976 and nationwide surveillance for GBS was begun. This surveillance uncovered a total of 1098 patients with onset of GBS from October 1, 1976, to January 31, 1977, from all 50 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. A total of 532 patients had recently received an A/New Jersey influenza vaccination prior to their onset of GBS (vaccinated cases), and 15 patients received a vaccination after their onset of GBS. Five hundred forty-three patients had not been recently vaccinated with A/New Jersey influenza vaccine and the vaccination status for 8 was unknown. Epidemiologic evidence indicated that many cases of GBS were related to vaccination. When compared to the unvaccinated population, the vaccinated population had a significantly elevated attack rate in every adult age group. The estimated attributable risk of vaccine-related GBS in the adult population was just under one case per 100,000 vaccinations. The period of increased risk was concentrated primarily within the 5-week period after vaccination, although it lasted for approximately 9 or 10 weeks.