H1N1 vaccine & Guillain-Barre Syndrome

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - With people now receiving the H1N1 vaccine, some are concerned about a possible connection of the vaccine with the debilitating disease Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

The Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mercy Medical Center told 22News, it doesn't appear that the H1N1 vaccine leads to the syndrome, which can cause nerve inflammation and muscle weakness.

He said each week there are about 140 cases of the syndrome in the U.S. and may be only coincidental to getting the vaccine.

Dr. Robert Hoffman, Infectious Disease Specialist, said "If millions and millions of people get the flu vaccine and 140 people every week get Guilliain-Barre occasionally by coincidence, it's going to occur in the same people."

Dr. Hoffman said it is more likely the syndrome is caused by the flu itself rather than the vaccine.