Chris Inquires About AstraZeneca Vaccine & Guillain-Barré Syndrome Link
Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential link between the AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine and Guillaine-Barre syndrome in the context of the case of Ross Wightman who was awarded compensation from the Canadian Vaccine Injury Support Programme in June 2022 following his diagnosis with that syndrome; and if he will make a statement.
Maggie Throup The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has monitored emerging information concerning Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) following the administration of any COVID-19 vaccine. A review of the available evidence, including Yellow Card reports and epidemiological studies, indicates that an association with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is possible.
Following advice from the Government’s independent advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines and its COVID-19 Vaccines Benefit Risk Expert Working Group, the product information for the AstraZeneca vaccine was updated to include GBS as an adverse reaction occurring very rarely following vaccination. Healthcare professionals and the public have been encouraged to be aware of signs of GBS following vaccination. The MHRA continues to monitor reports of GBS.
- ENDS -
