Keywords
Guillain-Barre syndrome; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; vaccination; COVID-19 vaccines
Disciplines
Allergy and Immunology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nephrology | Neurology
Abstract
Background
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute autoimmune polyneuropathy. Cases of GBS have been reported following administration of the vaccines for swine influenza, seasonal influenza, hemagglutinin type 1 and neuraminidase type 1, and meningococcal disease. Despite these links, a causal relationship has not been confirmed.
Case Presentation
We present a case of a 70-year-old woman who presented with progressive bilateral ascending weakness and numbness and reported receiving the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 2 weeks prior to presentation.
Conclusion
At the time of writing, this is the first reported case of GBS following the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine. While a temporal link does not confirm causation, vigilance for GBS symptoms in recently vaccinated patients is crucial. Early recognition enables timely treatment, preventing severe complications like respiratory failure. However, the public health benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, as it remains the most effective tool in preventing severe disease.
Recommended Citation
Aldakkour, Jamie Lee; Newman-Caro, Alvin Boyd; Gonzalez-Montalvo, Hector; Bardan, Usama; and Ramamurthy, Guruswamy
(2025)
"Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Moderna Spikevax Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Analysis,"
HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine: Vol. 6:
Iss.
2, Article 8.
DOI: 10.36518/2689-0216.1512
Available at:
https://scholarlycommons.hcahealthcare.com/hcahealthcarejournal/vol6/iss2/8