Swine flu vaccine linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, report reveals

Studies are currently being carried out by researchers in order to ascertain an association between the vaccine and Guillain-Barre Syndrome(GBS), a condition which attacks the nervous system.

In spite of the strong possibility that a previous swine flu vaccine had caused cases of the disease in America in the 1970s, health authorities have almost always denied the link.

However, a report by Medicines and Health care products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)has suggested that further tests need to be carried out for the disease.

It read, "Given the uncertainties in the available information and as with seasonal flu vaccines, a slightly elevated risk of GBS following H1N1 vaccines cannot be ruled out.

"Epidemiological studies are ongoing to further assess this possible association."

Millions of people exposed to vaccine
A vaccine employed to combat a different form of swine flu in the US in 1976 led to 25 deaths from the condition, compared with just one death from swine flu itself.

This year too, millions of people would be exposed to the swine flu vaccine as it has been included within the seasonal flu jab.

Due to the threat that there could be a repeat, neurologists were asked to record cases of GBS in the UK swine flu outbreak.

There is no evidence of an increase in risk similar to 1976, but the MHRA report reveals they are calculating if there might be a smaller raised risk, government officials claimed.

The report emphasizes that the risk associated with the vaccine has still not reduced and that the report "simply expands" on ongoing GBS analysis.

"The position was and remains that there is no confirmed evidence that the vaccines are a cause of GBS," a spokesman for MHRA said.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome
An acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system.

GBS is a rare disease and has an incidence of 1 or 2 people per 100,000.

The disorder is characterized by symmetrical weakness which usually affects the lower limbs first, and rapidly progresses in an ascending manner.

Loss of autonomic function is common, manifesting as wide fluctuations in blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, and cardiac arrhythmias in severe cases of GBS.