Do Flu Vaccines Cause GBS? The Government’s Plan to Add GBS to the Table

By leahdurantlaw on October 7, 2015 • ( 0 )

GBS vaccine attorney Leah Durant discusses the government’s proposal to add GBS to the Vaccine Injury Table and the potential link between flu shots and GBS

The federal government has recently opened a period for public comment to determine whether Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) should be added to the Vaccine Injury Table. While it is currently possible for patients who contract GBS after being vaccinated to receive compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), adding GBS to the Vaccine Injury Table could streamline the process significantly.

About Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)

Guillain Barre Syndrome is an acute form of paralysis that results from dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system. Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 new cases of GBS are reported every year. While most people who contract GBS are able to fully recover, some patients suffer from permanent disabilities. In some cases, GBS can even be fatal. Sadly, GBS is more prevalent among the elderly, and senior citizens who contract GBS often face less-favorable prognoses.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a severe form of GBS with symptoms that include weakness, impaired motor function, paralysis, and symmetrical loss of sensory response.

Why Add GBS to the Vaccine Injury Table?

Although it has not yet been scientifically proven, there is evidence to suggest that in some rare cases, GBS can be caused by flu shots. In its proposal to add GBS to the Vaccine Injury Table, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) points specifically to research concerning the H1N1 flu vaccine of 2009. The scientists who conducted the study concluded that they could neither “accept [nor] reject a causal relationship between seasonal influenza vaccine and GBS.” So, while uncertainty remains, the possibility of a link between the flu vaccine and such a serious complication certainly warrants consideration.

While there are currently multiple types of flu vaccines on the Vaccine Injury Table, the table does not provide coverage for GBS resulting from the administration of seasonal flu vaccines. By adding GBS to the Vaccine Injury Table, all patients who contract GBS within a certain period after being administered the seasonal flu vaccine would be eligible for compensation under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The current proposal to add GBS to the Vaccine Injury Table would put this time period at anywhere between three and 42 days after administration.

What to do if You Have Contracted GBS

If you have recently received a flu shot and are now suffering from GBS or CIPD, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To find out more, you should speak with an experienced vaccine injury lawyer as soon as possible. While you are not legally required to have a lawyer in order to pursue a vaccine claim, one of the many benefits of the program is that hiring a lawyer comes at no financial cost to you. By hiring an attorney, you can make sure that you have the best possible chance at obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries.

To Speak with an Experienced Attorney About Your Vaccine Injury Claim, Contact the Law Offices of Leah Durant Today

At the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, we strongly support the government’s proposal to add GBS to the Vaccine Injury Table. We are passionate about helping victims of vaccine injuries, and if you have contracted GBS or CIPD after receiving a flu shot, we want to help you claim the compensation you deserve. To find out more, please call (202) 800-1711 or contact us online today.