Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) can be a life-altering condition. While GBS is rare—and while its specific cause remains unknown—it has been linked to the flu shot and tetanus vaccines in some cases. Awareness of this link is growing; and, today, cases involving GBS linked to the flu shot and tetanus vaccines are among the most common cases our vaccine injury attorneys handle under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).
For individuals who have concerns about Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after receiving a flu shot or tetanus vaccine, it is essential to rely on accurate information. Most importantly, anyone who has concerns should see their doctor promptly, and, if they receive a diagnosis, they should consult with a vaccine injury attorney about their legal rights. Here are some additional resources that provide information about GBS and its link to vaccination:
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?
Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a neurological disorder that impacts the immune system. As the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) explains, with GBS, “a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks part of their peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves that carries signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body… potentially interfering with breathing, blood pressure, or heart rate.”
As the NINDS also explains, GBS is not contagious or inherited. Instead, GBS is caused by external factors—and, to date, these precise factors remain unknown. To learn more about GBS from the NINDS, you can read: What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
What Are the Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?
Guillain-Barré Syndrome can have a variety of symptoms. Typically, symptoms will begin to onset within a few days to a few weeks following a triggering event—such as a flu shot or tetanus vaccination. Common symptoms of GBS include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Loss of reflexes
- Muscle weakness
- Pain in the arms, legs or back
- Tingling and numbness (or a “pins and needles” sensation)
As noted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, “[s]ymptoms [typically] get worse over a period of 12 hours to 4 weeks, then usually stop getting worse and stay stable before improving.” To learn more about the symptoms of GBS from Johns Hopkins, you can read: What Are the Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
How is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Diagnosed?
As the Mayo Clinic explains, Guillain-Barré Syndrome “can be hard to diagnose in its early stages.” This is due, in part, to the fact that “[i]ts symptoms are similar to those of other conditions and may vary from person to person.”
This makes it important for individuals who have concerns about GBS to specifically discuss these concerns with their doctor. Individuals who have concerns about GBS should also tell their doctor about their flu shot or tetanus vaccination, as this may help with providing an accurate diagnosis. Some of the tests that doctors use to diagnose GBS include:
- Electromyography
- Nerve conduction studies
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
You can learn more about these forms of diagnosis from the Mayo Clinic here: Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Diagnosis & Treatment.
What is the Link Between Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Vaccines?
While the precise cause of Guillain-Barré Syndrome remains unknown, GBS has been linked to the annual flu shot and the tetanus vaccine in some cases. For example, as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains:
“From data collected, the association between seasonal flu vaccine and GBS has been found to vary from season to season. When there has been an increased risk, it has consistently been in the range of 1-2 additional GBS cases per million flu vaccine doses administered.
“Additional studies have been conducted on the risk of GBS following flu vaccination. Results of these studies suggest that it is more likely that a person will get GBS after getting the flu than after vaccination.”
Other studies have found a similar link between GBS and tetanus vaccines. Guillain-Barré Syndrome is also listed as an “on-table” injury under the VICP. This means that the link between GBS and the flu shot has been formally recognized by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). For more information from the CDC about the link between GBS and the flu shot, you can read: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Vaccines.
How Do You File a Claim for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) from a Vaccine?
For individuals who have been diagnosed with GBS after receiving a flu shot or tetanus vaccine, seeking financial compensation involves filing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP is a federal program that has paid more than $4 billion to vaccine recipients and their families over the past 40 years.
Filing a claim under the VICP involves submitting a formal petition in federal court. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims (also commonly referred to as the Vaccine Court) handles all claims under the VICP. Along with submitting a formal petition, claimants must also have proof of their vaccination and their GBS diagnosis.
While VICP claimants are not required to have legal representation, hiring an attorney to prepare your petition and pursue your claim costs you nothing. Your attorney can navigate the process for you, and your attorney may be able to negotiate a settlement with the government on your behalf. To learn more about the process of filing a claim for GBS, you can read: When Can You File a Vaccine Injury Claim for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?
Contact Our Vaccine Injury Attorneys for More Information
At the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates, our vaccine injury attorneys have extensive experience representing individuals and families in claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). If you need to know more about filing a VICP claim for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), we invite you to get in touch. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, give us a call at 202-775-9200 or tell us how we can help online today.
Categories: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (Flu GBS)
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