Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) After Vaccination: Causes, Symptoms, and Compensation

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare but serious disorder that has been linked to certain vaccines. In GBS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s nerve cells, leading to a range of complications. Symptoms can last from a few weeks to several years—and in severe cases, GBS can be fatal due to difficulty breathing.

Causes and Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Each year, approximately 3,000 to 6,000 people are diagnosed with GBS in the United States. The causes of GBS vary and can include vaccine reactions, bacterial infections, or respiratory illnesses. While anyone can develop GBS, older adults are at the highest risk.

When GBS symptoms become chronic, the condition may progress to Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). Patients with severe nerve damage may require ventilator support to breathe.

Common symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome include:

• Muscle weakness or paralysis in the legs and arms

• Tingling or “pins and needles” sensation in the fingers and toes

• Sudden weakness or “giving way” in the legs

• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance

• Trouble chewing or swallowing

• Difficulty breathing

Currently, there is no cure for Guillain-Barré Syndrome. However, treatments such as high-dose immunoglobulin (IVIG), intravenous gamma-globulin (IVGG), and plasma exchange can help support the immune system and prevent further nerve damage.

Vaccines Associated with Guillain-Barré Syndrome

GBS symptoms typically develop between a few hours and several weeks after receiving a vaccination. To receive compensation for a vaccine injury, it’s critical to establish a link between the vaccine and the injury.

Several vaccines have been associated with the development of GBS, including:

• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: GBS is most commonly associated with the seasonal flu shot and is the most frequently reported neurological condition linked to the influenza vaccine.

• Tetanus (TDaP) Vaccine: This combination vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) and is given at multiple stages throughout life.

Compensation for Guillain-Barré Syndrome After Vaccination

Individuals who suffer serious side effects after a vaccination, such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome, may be eligible for compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

The VICP allows patients to recover damages without suing a doctor or vaccine manufacturer directly. If your VICP claim is denied, you still have the right to pursue compensation through a vaccine injury lawsuit.

At Shannon Law Group, P.C., we are dedicated to helping vaccine injury victims get justice. If you or a loved one developed GBS after a vaccination, contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us or fill out our online contact form to get started.