Warning to Brits getting common jab over ‘small risk' of paralysing illness
The UK's medicines watchdog says the jab comes with a "small risk" of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a nerve disorder that can cause muscle weakness, numbness and, in severe cases, paralysis.
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But despite the warning, officials say the benefits of the potentially lifesaving vaccine still outweigh the risks.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has urged NHS staff after reports linked the condition to Pfizer's Abrysvo and GSK's Arexvy vaccines.
The jabs are offered to older adults and pregnant women to protect against RSV - a cold-like illness that can make some people seriously ill.
Every year, around 30,000 children and 24000 adults in the UK end up in hospital with severe breathing problems caused by the virus, including pneumonia and bronchiolitis, a dangerous airway infection.
And each winter, about 100 children die from RSV.
It's also linked to around 8,000 adult deaths, as the infection puts deadly strain on the heart, leading to organ failure.
Since the jab rolled out on the NHS this September for the first time, 1.3 million people aged 75 to 79 have been vaccinated.
The Commission on Human Medicines still advises that "the benefits of vaccination against RSV outweigh the small risk of developing Guillain-Barre syndrome in older adults".
In its alert, published today, the MHRA said: "Healthcare professionals should advise all recipients of Abrysvo and Arexvy that they should be alert to signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome and, if they occur, to seek immediate medical attention as it requires urgent treatment in hospital."
It warned staff to be alert to the signs and symptoms of the syndrome.
What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) or bronchiolitis?
There is currently no evidence of increased risk for pregnant women vaccinated with Abrysvo, the only RSV jab approved for use during pregnancy, health chiefs said in the alert.
The Pfizer vaccine Abrysvo is offered on the NHS to adults aged 75 to 79 and pregnant women.
The GSK vaccine Arexvy is not yet available on the NHS but may be accessible privately.
Symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome can include tingling, numbness or pins and needles in feet and hands, muscle weakness and difficulty moving joints.
There may also be problems breathing and drooping face muscles or trouble swallowing or speaking.
Up to June 2, the MHRA received 21 Yellow Card reports of suspected Guillain-Barré in older adults after Abrysvo, out of more than 1.9 million doses given.
No cases have been linked to Arexvy in the UK so far, but this vaccine has been used very little.
The Yellow Card scheme is the UK's system for collecting reports of possible side effects from medicines and vaccines, helping regulators monitor safety.
In the US, studies suggest nine extra Guillain-Barré cases per million doses for Abrysvo and seven per million for Arexvy.
What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition that affects the nerves.
About 1,500 people develop it in the UK every year, and it is more common in adults and men.
It's not known exactly what causes GBS, but it's thought to be related to problems with the immune system as it usually begins with a few weeks of an infection, such as flu or a stomach bug.
Normally when you get an infection, your immune system attacks and kills the bacteria or virus.
But in GBS, the immune system starts to attack your nerves.
This can cause symptoms, including:
Tingling
Numbness
Pins and needles
Muscle weakness
Difficulty moving your joints
Sharp, shooting pains
Problems breathing
Drooping face muscles
Trouble swallowing or speaking
Eyesight issues, such as double vision
Some people's symptoms are so severe, they become paralysed and cannot move their legs, arms or face.
GBS is serious and requires urgent treatment in hospital, sometimes for several months.
Most people will be able to walk within six months and recover within a year.
Source: NHS
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