Anirban Das

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an unprecedented neurological disease wherein the body's immune system mistakenly assaults a part of its peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves positioned outside of the brain and spinal cord.

The FDA has stated that Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine may also result in an improved chance for Guillain-Barré syndrome. The New York Times mentioned on July 12 that officers diagnosed a hundred suspected instances of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological circumstance wherein the body’s immune system damages nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis, that were linked to the vaccine. Among them, 95% have been deemed “serious and required hospitalization According to the FDA, in maximum instances, the signs and symptoms of Guillain Barré syndrome began within 6 weeks of vaccine receipt. However, the agency additionally stated that the risk of this going on is “very low.” The FDA urged patients to call 911 proper away in the event that they have been administered the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and enjoy weakness or tingling sensations, particularly withinside the legs or arms, this is getting worse and spreading; troubles with walking, facial actions inclusive of speaking, chewing or swallowing and bladder or bowel control; double vision or lack of ability to move eyes; or any allergic reaction. Previously, research posted in Annals of Neurology referred to small clusters “of an uncommon variation of Guillain-Barré syndrome” following receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine. The fee of Guillain-Barré syndrome in those clusters changed into about 4 to 10 times higher than the predicted baseline frequency. An FDA advisory panel voted unanimously this beyond February to advocate authorizing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. A day later, the FDA granted the shot an emergency use authorization; the vaccine’s rollout started out quickly after the FDA’s action.

However, the rollout of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has now no longer been seamless. In March, the company showed that it discarded a batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses following a mishap at a production site. Then in June, the FDA informed Johnson & Johnson that more batches have to be discarded, saying the affected batches have been “not suitable for use.” In addition, the FDA and CDC quickly paused the rollout of the vaccine after identifying a link between the shot and blood clotting events.