Case Series of Guillain-Barré Syndrome After the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) Vaccine

Abstract

Purpose of ReviewVaccination has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Amid a global vaccination campaign to stop the spread of COVID-19, fears of GBS can contribute to vaccine hesitancy. We describe 3 cases of GBS in Calgary, Canada, presenting within 2 weeks of receiving the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (COVISHIELD) Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination and review the available literature.Recent FindingsAll 3 patients presented to the hospital in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, within a one-month time frame with GBS. Their clinical courses ranged from mild to severe impairment, all requiring immunomodulatory treatment.SummaryThere is currently little evidence to support a causal relationship between vaccination and GBS. Furthermore, there is limited evidence to support recurrent GBS in patients with GBS temporally associated with vaccination. Neurologists should approach discussions with patients regarding GBS after vaccination carefully so as not to misrepresent this relationship and to educate patients that the risk of COVID-19 infection outweighs the small individual risk of a vaccine-associated adverse event.