MHRA Advises on Rare GBS Risk After RSV Vaccination
Healthcare professionals are advised to inform recipients of Abrysvo (Pfizer) and Arexvy (GSK) about potential symptoms of GBS. Should these occur, recipients should seek immediate medical care, as early intervention can reduce severity and improve outcomes.
GBS is an acute demyelinating disease that affects the peripheral nervous system. It has previously been reported in response to several vaccines, including those for influenza, swine flu, SARS-CoV-2, meningococcal disease, poliovirus, and rabies. Symptoms usually start in the limbs and include tingling, numbness, or pins and needles in the feet and hands, followed by muscle weakness and difficulty moving joints.
Severe Cases May Include Paralysis
In more serious cases, patients may experience shooting nerve pain, often in the legs or back, breathing difficulties, drooping facial muscles, problems with swallowing or speech, and double vision. Some may develop paralysis in the legs, arms, or face.
Treatment typically requires hospitalisation for several weeks or months. Therapies include immunotherapy and symptomatic management. GBS can be fatal in rare instances.
Study Suggests Increased Risk Post-Vaccination
The MHRA alert follows a US study evaluating GBS risk in adults aged over 65 after receiving RSV vaccines. The study, led by the US Food and Drug Administration and data analysis company Acumen in California, was conducted as a self-controlled case series analysis between 3 May 2023 — when the vaccines were first approved in the US — and 28 January 2024.
The study involved approximately 3.23 million Medicare recipients who received either Abrysvo or Arexvy. The researchers compared the incidence of GBS during risk intervals of 1-42 days after vaccination — when most reactions occur — to the incidence in later control periods (43-90 days).
Ninety-five GBS cases were reported in the early period. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) ranged from 2.02 to 2.46, translating to 6.5-9 additional cases per 1 million vaccine doses. However, statistical significance was only reached in the Arexvy group.
In the UK, Abrysvo is the RSV vaccine offered through the NHS to adults aged 75-79 and to pregnant women.
As of 2 June 2025, the MHRA had received 21 Yellow Card reports of suspected GBS in older adults following Abrysvo vaccination. This was out of more than 1.9 million doses of Abrysvo administered up to 26 May on the NHS scheme.
There have been no Yellow Card reports of GBS following Arexvy in the UK, probably due to limited use. Arexvy is not used in the NHS but may be accessed privately by adults over 60, or those aged 50-59 at higher risk.
Arexvy is not recommended for use in pregnancy. However, the MHRA said that there was currently no evidence that Abrysvo increased GBS risk in pregnant women. The MHRA reported that, among over a quarter of a million doses of Abrysvo given to pregnant women up to 26 May 2025, there had been no Yellow Card reports of suspected GBS.
Risk Remains Rare, Says MHRA
The MHRA emphasised that the risk of GBS from RSV vaccines remains rare. Early, unpublished data from post-marketing surveillance by the UK Health Security Agency and Public Health Scotland estimated a combined excess of 15-25 GBS cases per million doses of Abrysvo given to those aged 75-79.
The Commission on Human Medicines has reviewed the data and advised that the benefits of RSV vaccination in older adults outweigh the risk of developing GBS.
Healthcare professionals and the public are urged to continue reporting suspected adverse reactions associated with Abrysvo and Arexvy through the Yellow Card scheme.
Dr Sheena Meredith is an established medical writer, editor, and consultant in healthcare communications, with extensive experience writing for medical professionals and the general public. She is qualified in medicine and in law and medical ethics.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Causes, symptoms and how to prevent chikungunya - as cases rise in the UK
Health authorities have warned of a "worrying increase" in cases of a mosquito-borne infection in people returning to the UK from abroad. of chikungunya were reported between January and June 2025 - more than double the 27 cases reported in the same period last year, the UK Health Agency (UKHSA) said. Data released by the agency also revealed three cases of oropouche virus, marking the first time the virus has been reported in the UK. Here is everything you need to know about both viruses, from symptoms to prevention and what could be behind the surge in cases. What is chikungunya? Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus of the same name. It was first identified following an outbreak in Tanzania in 1952. The name is derived from a word in the Tanzanian language Makonde, and means "that which bends up", owing to the joint pain it can cause. It is spread by mosquito bites, specifically from yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes, in tropical and subtropical regions. What are the symptoms? Typical symptoms include fever, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue and a rash. The UKHSA says joint pain can persist for months or even years, with up to 12% of people still experiencing discomfort three years after infection. The majority of people who become infected recover within one to two weeks without needing medical attention. Serious complications are uncommon, and only very rare cases are fatal. Babies or elderly people with other underlying illnesses are the most vulnerable. The two mosquitoes known to transmit the disease, yellow fever and tiger, are not currently found in the UK. How does oropouche virus differ? Oropouche virus is spread predominantly by midge bites rather than mosquito bites. While bites from both insects can cause red itchy lumps on the skin, mosquito bites are generally larger and more painful, while midge bites are smaller and may last longer. Symptoms can be similar to chikungunya, and include joint paint, headache, chills, nausea and high fever. The UKHSA says anyone who becomes unwell with these symptoms after travelling should seek "urgent medical advice". Where can you catch the viruses? Regular outbreaks of chikungunya occur in Africa, Asia and the Americas, with occasional smaller instances in Europe. The UKHSA said the majority of the 73 reported cases from the first six months of this year reported travelling to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. The cases were linked to local outbreaks in the Indian Ocean region. As of last month, there have been about 240,000 cases of chikungunya - and 90 deaths - in 16 countries, according to the European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Meanwhile, all the UK cases of oropouche virus were associated with travel to Brazil. Last year, 44 cases were reported in several European countries including Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands, according to the ECDC. China is currently experiencing the ever documented in the country, according to Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford. More than 7,000 cases have been reported since June, with 90% of those concentrated in Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong. How to prepare before travelling Dr Philip Veal, a consultant in public health at UKHSA said it is "essential" for people to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. "Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk," he said. Checking the latest health advice on your destination before you travel is also recommended. The LSHTM added that people can do the following to reduce exposure to mosquito and midge bites:• Fit screens to windows and doors;• Avoid peak activity during dusk and dawn;• Get rid of any standing water where mosquitoes breed. There are also two vaccines for chikungunya approved for use in the UK: IXCHIQ, for people aged 18 to 59 and Vimkunya, for individuals 12 years and older. Both are available to buy privately from travel clinics after an assessment by a healthcare professional. Read more from Sky News: What's behind the increase in cases? The number of outbreaks of chikungunya has increased since 2000, Robert Jones, an assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) said. Mr Jones put this boom partly down to climate change and urban expansion. Dr Yang Liu, another professor at LSHTM, said the outbreak in China is not totally unexpected, but highlights the manifestation of a known risk, as yellow fever and tiger mosquitoes have been present in the area for many years.
Medscape
an hour ago
- Medscape
Safety Body Warns Over Post-Discharge Information Gaps
Communication failures between hospitals and community services after patient discharge can lead to serious medication-related harm, a new report has warned. The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) found that gaps in patient records, poor information sharing, and insufficient post-discharge support can delay or prevent medication being taken, with potentially life-threatening consequences. Case Study: Missed Insulin After Discharge The investigation examined the case of a 53-year-old man whose diabetes medication was changed during a hospital stay. Although he received some education on self-administering insulin, he later said he struggled to remember the instructions. A referral for district nursing support was made via his GP, but the district nursing team was not informed. Seventeen days after discharge, he told a nurse that he had not been taking insulin. His glucose levels were dangerously high, leading to an emergency hospital readmission. Key Failings Identified The HSSIB identified several failings: Conflicting records on admission made it unclear whether the patient had been taking diabetes medication. No documented evidence confirmed his ability to self-administer insulin after discharge education. Communication about the need for district nursing support was inconsistent between hospital teams and community services, and no specific support for insulin administration was arranged. The patient was discharged with two insulin pens, one of which was unnecessary, causing him confusion. District nursing demand often exceeded capacity, limiting visit times. Multiple providers used incompatible electronic patient record systems, preventing the sharing of critical information. Recommendations for Safer Discharges The report calls for local-level learning prompts covering hospital care, discharge planning, and community follow-up to prevent similar risks. It stressed the importance of ensuring patients are confident in managing their medication before leaving hospital and improving interoperability between hospital and community electronic systems. 'A Matter of Patient Safety' Rebecca Doyle, safety investigator at HSSIB, said that improving information flow and patient support at discharge is more than an administrative task. 'It's a matter of patient safety,' she said. 'While individual cases can be complex, this incident clearly highlighted persistent challenges with information sharing – an issue we continue to see in investigations that explore communication and the interaction of digital systems. This information sharing is critical to keep people safe at home, managing their medical conditions, and avoiding readmission to hospital.' The report is the third and final in a series of HSSIB investigations exploring why medications intended to be given to patients were not given. Priscilla Lynch is a freelance writer for Medscape, with over 20 years' experience covering medicine and healthcare. She has a master's in journalism and recently undertook a Health Innovation Journalism Fellowship with the International Center for Journalists.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Four people taken to hospital after chlorine gas incident at Guy's Hospital
Four people have been taken to hospital after chlorine gas incident at a hospital in London. The incident happened at Guy's Hospital in Southwark just before 9am today (August 14). Nine people were treated by medics with four of those taken to hospital. The chlorine gas, which is toxic when inhaled, is believed to have been created by the mixing of chemicals inside a plant room. A staff member was injured as a result of the chemical reaction. Others who rushed to their aid have been treated for the inhalation of chlorine gas. The incident happened in a 'non-patient area', according to the hospital trust. Firefighters have checked for elevated readings of chlorine gas and the building has also been ventilated. Fire crews also supported with a precautionary evacuation of the basement and ground floors of the building. Two fire engines, two fire rescue units, a command unit and specialist hazardous materials officers attended the scene. They were finished at the scene by around 11am. A Guy's and St Thomas' spokesperson said: 'The London Fire Brigade attended a chemical incident in a non-patient area of Guy's Hospital today. 'One staff member was injured and several people, who came to the aid of the person, were treated for the inhalation of chlorine gas.' A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We sent multiple resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an incident response officer, and London Ambulance Service HART 'We treated nine patients, taking four patients to hospital and discharging five patients at the scene.'
