The risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome after tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines in adults and children in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether there is a risk that tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines could cause Guillain-Barré syndrome and, if so, how large the risk is.


METHODS
This study was based on previous active surveillance epidemiological studies of Guillain-Barré syndrome and vaccination history.


RESULTS
A background rate of 0.3 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome per million person-weeks has been estimated. By chance, 2.2 people with the syndrome would have received tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccine within the 6 weeks before onset, yet only 1 person had done so. Data on children show similar results.


CONCLUSIONS
If an association exists, it must be extremely rare and not of public health significance.
Tuttle
J
J
National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Chen
R T
RT
Rantala
H
H
Cherry
J D
JD
Rhodes
P H
PH
Hadler
S
S
D000328:Adult; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D013745:Tetanus Toxoid