The Foundation is committed sharing the most accurate information from the world’s leading experts, many from our Global Medical Advisory Board. The COVID-19 situation changes daily and we will continue to share updates that are vetted by the experts in GBS. In addition we are in regular contact with the FDA representing the patient voice in the top-level decision making. We understand that there are many opinions creating confusion so please consider the source of your information before drawing conclusions. As always, all decisions should be made with your personal physician based on your own health. Please continue to check our website for updated information.
This statement is provided by the GBS|CIDP Foundation Global Medical Advisory Board. We also encourage you to contact your healthcare provider about whether it would be a good idea for you to have a COVID-19 vaccine. There has been much discussion about COVID-19 vaccines for individuals who are “immunocompromised.” GBS and CIDP and immune-mediated disorders….
This statement is provided by the GBS|CIDP Foundation Global Medical Advisory Board. We also encourage you to contact your healthcare provider about whether it would be a good idea for you to have a third COVID19 vaccine dose. There has been much discussion about third shots or “booster shots” of certain COVID19 vaccines for individuals…
On October 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include children ages 5 through 11 years. The vaccine was studied in approximately 3,100 children aged 5 through 11, without reported serious side effects. No cases of myocarditis occurred during…
COVID19 vaccines are different from flu vaccines. We are not seeing evidence that COVID19 vaccines are more likely to cause GBS, even in individuals who have had GBS brought on by other vaccines. Therefore, we do not see prior GBS as a reason not to get a COVID19 vaccine.
Read the full article, Rate of Recurrent Guillain-Barré Syndrome After mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2, (Jama Neurology).
Third dose of Vaccination for Immune Suppressed Patients August 19, 2021 A statement from our Global Medical Advisory Board On August 12th, the FDA authorized that a third dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) may be given to patients who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Patients who are considered immune-suppressed are those who…
A Statement from the Foundation Global Medical Advisory Board The Washington Post and New York Times published on July 12, 2021 articles of a report by the FDA regarding cases of purported GBS after receiving the Johnson and Johnson COVID 19 vaccine. Approximately 100 reports of suspected GBS were experienced by 12.8 million subjects who…
Statement on Vaccines and GBS June 18, 2021 There is no evidence at the present time to suggest that ANY of the vaccines is associated with GBS in any significant numbers (with data only on AZ, Pfizer and Moderna from the UK). Multiple international surveillance systems are looking specifically for GBS as it is designated…
Ask The Experts Episode 9 – COVID-19 Vaccines and the GBS|CIDP CommunityFeaturing Dr. Peter Donofrio, Chairman of the Global Medical Advisory Board
The GBS|CIDP Foundation has received many questions about COVID-19 and its relationship to Guillain-Barré syndrome and CIDP.
No instances of CIDP or MMN were seen during clinical trials of the two vaccines. Neither the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nor the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends against administration of the Covid 19 vaccine in patients with CIDP or MMN. One must keep in mind that the Covid Vaccine has…
As a follow up to the Foundation’s published article from Dec. 20, 2020, “An Open Letter to Dr. A.S. Fauci, Director NIAID, NIH,” on January 15, 2021, Neurology Today published the following article “No Excess Risk for Neurologic Events Observed to Date from COVID-19 Vaccines.” Read the full article…
Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may be administered to people with underlying medical conditions provided they have not had a severe allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. The following information aims to help people in the…
(Please see the following open letter statement authored by members of the GBS|CIDP Foundation International medical community as referenced.) As clinician/scientists who have spent careers studying GBS, we are concerned that your statement on the “New Normal” television show about GBS and the COVID vaccine will have unintended consequences. Your statement is already all over…
This information is a public document and has been forwarded to the Foundations by our key opinion leaders in the GBS medical community. Of note, there is no mention of GBS in the vaccine insert, not as a risk nor as a vaccine to avoid for those who have had GBS or CIDP or are…