New jab offered to millions of pensioners and pregnant women ‘could cause neurological illness’ as health chiefs issue vaccine safety alert
US health officials have issued a warning linking RSV vaccines to an increased risk of a serious neurological condition.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that Abrysvo, the vaccine used in Britain, is associated with nine additional cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome per million doses.
A second vaccine, Arexvy, showed seven additional cases per million doses.
While still recommending the jabs for vulnerable adults, the FDA said patient information leaflets would now list Guillain-Barré syndrome as a potential risk.
Abrysvo, a vaccine used in Britain, is associated with an increased risk of a serious neurological condition
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RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a common infection that can prove deadly for elderly people and young babies.
The virus, which spreads through coughs and sneezes, leads to around 30,000 child and 18,000 adult hospitalisations in the UK annually.
It claims approximately 100 children’s lives each winter.
An estimated 8,000 adults die during the same period, as the infection can place severe strain on the heart, potentially leading to organ failure.
The FDA study examined vaccine reaction data for both RSV jabs between May 2023 and July 2023.
The findings showed significantly higher rates of Guillain-Barré syndrome compared to flu vaccines, which typically cause one to two cases per million doses.
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Some patients may experience breathing problems, facial paralysis and impaired vision
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Despite these findings, the FDA maintained that the benefits of RSV vaccination still outweigh the risks for vulnerable groups.
In Britain, Guillain-Barré syndrome is already listed as a potential complication in patient information, though not all recipients receive verbal warnings.
Guillain-Barré syndrome occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy nerve cells.
Early symptoms include tingling and numbness in hands and feet, followed by muscle weakness and movement difficulties.
Some patients may experience breathing problems, facial paralysis and impaired vision.
While the condition is typically temporary if treated, with most patients recovering within a year, some individuals can suffer permanent nerve damage.
The exact trigger remains poorly understood, though experts suspect it may be caused by the immune system’s response to foreign substances.
In Britain, the RSV vaccine Abrysvo is offered to adults aged 75 to 79 and pregnant women past 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Recent NHS data shows 1.5 million eligible adults in England have received the RSV vaccine, including 140,000 pregnant women
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Nearly half of eligible older adults in England had received the vaccine by December.
Uptake among pregnant women has been lower, with only a third accepting the offer as of September.
Recent NHS data shows 1.5 million eligible adults in England have received the RSV vaccine, including 140,000 pregnant women.
Dr Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “The RSV vaccine offers a vital opportunity for any mums-to-be to protect their babies from severe RSV lung infection.”
Current NHS data shows RSV cases are particularly high this year, with an average of 28 children hospitalised daily.
This represents a 41 per cent increase compared to last year.
The UKHSA has noted that while Guillain-Barré syndrome has been reported extremely rarely among older adults receiving the RSV vaccine, there is no evidence of increased risk among pregnant women.