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Reports of a rare nervous system disorder, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), have been found to be “more common than expected” among older U.S. adults who received the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released Thursday. This aligns with earlier statements made by the organization this year.
Despite these findings, government officials maintain that the benefits of the RSV vaccines outweigh the risks. The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently evaluating the potential risks but do not plan to change their recommendation. They advise that patients aged 60 and older should consult with their doctors before deciding to receive the vaccination.
Since early August, over 10 million older adults have been vaccinated with either Pfizer or GSK’s single-dose RSV vaccines. The vaccines are designed to protect against RSV, a virus that typically causes cold-like symptoms but can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly.
Health officials estimate that approximately two cases of GBS occur in every 1 million RSV vaccine recipients within three weeks of vaccination. The latest CDC report focused on 28 cases of GBS in vaccinated individuals, with all but one case developing symptoms within 21 days post-vaccination. This translated to 1.5 cases per million for the GSK RSV vaccine and five cases per million for the Pfizer vaccine.
The CDC presented similar findings at a public meeting in February, highlighting the link between RSV vaccinations and GBS. Guillain-Barre syndrome affects an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people in the U.S. annually, often following a viral infection or, in some cases, a vaccination. The syndrome is more prevalent in older adults, with most patients fully recovering, though some may suffer from permanent nerve damage.
The CDC and FDA continue to monitor and investigate these cases to ensure the safety and well-being of the public, reinforcing the importance of informed decision-making for older adults considering the RSV vaccine.
