Johnson & Johnson vaccine linked to rare cases of autoimmune disease

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced a change to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet, warning of an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder that damages nerves and can lead to paralysis.

“Based on an analysis of data from Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting (VAERS), there were 100 preliminary reports following vaccination with the Janssen vaccine after approximately 12.5 million doses administered,” said a carrier. FDA word in a statement to CNET. Ninety-five of the cases were severe and required hospitalization, with one death reported, according to the FDA.

Guillain-Barré’s cases typically occurred about two weeks after vaccination and were typically found in men aged 50 and older, according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said it will discuss the link between the United States’ only single-dose COVID vaccine and autoimmune disease at an upcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He also said that most people make a full recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The known benefits of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine continue to outweigh the known risks, the FDA said. But those who have received an injection of Johnson & Johnson should see a doctor if they develop the following symptoms, according to the FDA: feelings of weakness or tingling, especially in the legs or arms, which get worse and spread. to other parts of the body; difficulty walking; difficulty with facial movements, including speaking, chewing, or swallowing; double vision or inability to move the eyes; or difficulty with bladder control or bowel function.

In a statement, Johnson & Johnson said it was in talks with the FDA and other regulators on the link between its COVID-19 vaccine and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The company also said the rate of reported cases of the syndrome “slightly exceeds the base rate.” (The background rate is the number of cases that existed before the vaccine was introduced.)

The Guillain-Barré warning adds to a previous warning on the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine label about the risk of a rare but potentially fatal blood clotting disorder that also usually occurs around two weeks after vaccination, primarily in women under 50.

Guillain-Barré can occur after infections with viruses such as the flu, Epstein Barr or Zika, reports the CDC. Guillain-Barré also occurs after infection with Campylobacter bacteria, which is the most common bacterial cause of diarrhea. It has also been linked to other vaccines, such as those for influenza and shingles, according to the FDA. Although most people recover completely from Guillain-Barré syndrome, it can lead to serious nerve damage and paralysis. It is also more common in men and people over 50.

AstraZeneca, which is a vaccine similar to Johnson & Johnson, has also been linked to rare cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, according to a June report from the American Neurological Association. Several cases of the syndrome were reported in people from India and England who had received AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine 10 to 22 days earlier, and the cases were around 4 to 10 times higher than the expected baseline frequency , the researchers said.

Pfizer and Moderna were largely successful in averting the drama that befell Johnson & Johnson (which includes suspected contamination of 75 million doses of vaccine now discarded at a Baltimore plant). However, both mRNA vaccines have been linked to cases of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, in men aged 30 and under after their second dose of COVID vaccine. In a June meeting with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the CDC found that the benefits of mRNA vaccines outweigh the risks in all age groups and that most cases of myocarditis are benign.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended for health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have about a health problem or health goals.