Elsevier

Clinical Immunology

Volume 230, September 2021, 108818
Clinical Immunology

Guillain-Barré syndrome is infrequent among recipients of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2021.108818Get rights and content

Highlights

  • The risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome is not increased among recipients of BNT162b2

  • Concomitant infections are frequent among those developing GBS after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccines

  • This report should help reduce hesitancy toward mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines

Abstract

Vaccines are the most effective strategy to mitigate the global impact of COVID-19. However, vaccine hesitancy is common, particularly among minorities. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common autoimmune illness of the peripheral nervous system, occurring at an incidence of 1.1/100,000 worldwide. A causal link between mRNA vaccines and GBS has not been previously evaluated. We analyzed a cohort of 3,890,250 Hispanic/Latinx recipients of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (613,780 of whom had already received both doses) for incident GBS occurring within 30 days from vaccine administration. Seven cases of GBS were detected among first-dose recipients, for an observed incidence of 0.18/100,000 administered doses during the prespecified timeframe of 30 days. No cases were reported after second-dose administration. Our data suggest that, among recipients of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, GBS may occur at the expected community-based rate; however, this should be taken with caution as the current incidence of GBS among the unvaccinated population against COVID-19 is still undetermined. We hope that this preliminary data will increase the public perception of safety toward mRNA-based vaccines and reduce vaccine hesitancy.

Keywords

mRNA vaccines
COVID-19 vaccine
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Vaccine safety
Vaccine hesitancy

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1

All authors contributed equally to this manuscript.

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