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…
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…
In reaction to recent research published in Brain (click here to read more), Professor Lunn has offered this guidance in regards to our community.
A UK based epidemiological study, linked below, has found no causal association between COVID-19 infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome. This means that GBS developing at the same time or close to that of COVID-19 is most likely coincidental.
COVID-19 Ask the Experts with Dr. Ken Gorson, part of our educational series featuring medical experts from the Foundation’s Global Medical Advisory Board.
Grifols Announces Formal Collaboration with US Government to Produce the First Treatment Specifically Targeting COVID-19
By Dr. David Saperstein Antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins) play an important role in health and illness. Many of you regularly receive intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to treat your autoimmune disease. Flooding a person’s system with antibodies from normal, healthy individuals can reverse problems caused by abnormally overactive immune systems. However, providing antibodies that fight a specific infection can…
The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) has provided a statement specific to plasma protein therapies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. CLICK HERE to read the statement. The PPTA notes that their Pathogen Safety Steering Committee continues to monitor the situation and is currently working on a broader update for the community. We will share these…