FDA Reports New Cases of Rare Neurological Disorder After Administration of Vaccine(2)

The FDA and CDC have updated an alert issued last year after receiving more reports of a rare neurological disorder, Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) following administration of a vaccine (trade name Menactra) designed to prevent meningococcal disease, a major cause of bacterial meningitis and blood stream infections.

To date, a total of 15 confirmed cases of GBS have been reported among individuals aged 11-19, and two additional cases have been reported in persons aged 20+. All of the individuals are reported to have recovered or are recovering.

GBS is a serious, rare neurological disorder that can occur, often in healthy individuals, either spontaneously or after certain infections. GBS typically causes increasing weakness in leg, arm and other muscles that can be severe and require hospitalization. GBS usually resolves on its own, but some people may have residual neurological deficits.