Claim Review: Guillain-Barré Syndrome Associated with 17 Vaccines, Including Covid and Flu Shots

A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports examined global cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) between 1967 and 2023. The study found that out of 19 vaccines examined, 17 were potentially associated with GBS, including COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. The findings also showed that reports of vaccine-related GBS surged following the introduction of the swine flu vaccine in 2009 and the COVID-19 vaccine in 2020.

GBS is a rare condition that attacks the peripheral nervous system, causing sudden numbness and muscle weakness. The study reported 117 deaths among the 15,377 cases of vaccine-associated GBS, with most deaths occurring in people aged 65 and over.

The researchers noted that studies have consistently shown a higher risk of GBS from COVID-19 and flu infections compared to vaccination. They cited a four- to seven-times increase in GBS following influenza infection.

Karl Jablonowski, Ph.D., senior research scientist at Children’s Health Defense (CHD) , praised the study’s scope but questioned its methodology. Brian Hooker, Ph.D., chief scientific officer for CHD, also questioned the study’s conclusion that infection poses a greater risk of GBS compared to vaccination.

The study used data from VigiBase, the WHO’s global database of adverse event reports. The researchers concluded that Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccines are associated with a higher incidence of GBS, especially when compared to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

The study’s findings did not indicate sex-specific risks of GBS but found an increased association with advancing age. The average time of GBS onset was 5.5 days, with a high standard deviation, suggesting variability in onset times.

The study’s authors acknowledged the scarcity of data connecting GBS to vaccination and the need for more research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking vaccines and GBS.

In conclusion, while the study found associations between several vaccines and GBS, it also noted that the risk of GBS from infections like COVID-19 and influenza is higher than from vaccinations. The claim that most vaccines are associated with GBS and that reports of vaccine-associated GBS have been increasing steadily over time is partially true. 

References:

• Global burden of vaccine-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome over 170 countries from 1967 to 2023 - Scientific Reports 
• Mortality rate for GBS in countries with limited resources  - The Lancet
• Guillain-Barré syndrome  - Cleveland Clinic