Vaccination against H1N1 can cause neurological disorders

The H1N1 flu vaccine in the US may increase the risk of neurological disorders but at low rates, according to AFP on March 13.

Vaccination is an effective way to prevent H1N1 flu

Scientists in the United States look at data on side effects from getting the H1N1 flu vaccine in the H1N1 influenza vaccine program at 23 million Americans.

They recorded 77 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome within 3 months after vaccination. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes muscle weakness and temporary paralysis.

The study, published in The Lancet, is conducted by the Office of the National Immunization Program in Washington and according to researchers, the benefits of vaccination still outweigh the risk.

Data show that the H1N1 vaccination in 2012 prevented between 700,000 and 1.5 million cases of influenza in the US, reducing between 4,000 and 10,000 hospitalizations and 500 deaths from the disease.