Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Linked to Rare Cases of Autoimmune Disorders

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The Janssen COVID vaccine has been linked to rare side effects.

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The Food and Drug Administration announced a change to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet on Monday, warning of an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological disorder that damages nerves and can lead to paralysis.

“Based on an analysis of Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting (VAERS) data, there have been 100 initial reports following vaccination with the Janssen vaccine after approximately 12.5 million doses were administered,” an FDA spokesperson said in a statement to CNET. Ninety-five of the cases were serious and required hospital treatment, with one death, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Guillain-Barré cases usually occur about two weeks after vaccination and are usually found in males ages 50 and older, according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said it will discuss the relationship between the only COVID vaccine in the United States and the autoimmune disorder at an upcoming meeting of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee. She also said that most people recover completely from Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The US Food and Drug Administration said the known benefits of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine still outweigh the known risks. But those who got a Johnson & Johnson dose should seek medical attention if they develop the following symptoms, according to the FDA: weakness or tingling, especially in the legs or arms, that gets worse and spreads to other parts of the body; difficulty walking; difficulty with facial movements, including speaking, chewing, or swallowing; double vision or inability to move the eyes; or difficulty controlling bladder or bowel function.

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In a statement, Johnson & Johnson said it is in discussions with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulators about the relationship between the COVID-19 vaccine and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The company also said the rate of reported cases of the syndrome “slightly exceeds the background rate”. (The background rate is the number of cases that were present before the introduction of the vaccine.)

The Guillain-Barré warning adds an earlier warning on Johnson & Johnson’s COVID vaccine label about the risk of developing a rare but potentially fatal blood clotting disorder that also occurs about two weeks after vaccination, mostly in women under 50.

Guillain-Barré can occur after infection with viruses such as the flu, Epstein Barr, or Zika, the CDC reports. Guillain-Barré also occurs after infection with Campylobacter bacteria, the most common bacterial cause of diarrhoea. It has also been linked to other vaccines, such as those for influenza and shingles, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Although most people recover completely from Guillain-Barré syndrome, it can lead to severe nerve damage and paralysis. It is also more common in men and people over 50 years old.

AstraZeneca, a vaccine similar to Johnson & Johnson, has been linked to rare cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, according to a June report from the American Neurological Association. The researchers said that many cases of the syndrome have been reported in people from India and England who received the COVID vaccine for AstraZeneca 10 to 22 days ago, and the cases were 4 to 10 times more than the expected base frequency.

Pfizer and Moderna have largely been able to avoid the drama that has plagued Johnson & Johnson (which includes the suspected contamination of 75 million doses of the vaccine now disposed of at the Baltimore plant). However, the two mRNA vaccines have been linked to cases of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, in men age 30 or younger after their second dose of the COVID vaccine. In a June meeting with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the CDC found that the benefits of mRNA vaccines outweigh the risks in all age groups and that most cases of myocarditis are mild.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.

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