The risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome after tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines in adults and children in the United States.

Objectives. This study examined whether there is a risk that tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccines could cause Guillain-Barre-syndrome and, if so, how large the risk is. Methods. This study was based: on previous active surveillance epidemiological studies Of Guillain-Barre syndrome and vaccination history. Results. A background rate of 0.3 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome per million person-weeks has been estimated. By chance, 2.2 people With the syndrome would have received tetanus-toxoid containing vaccine within the 6 weeks before onset, yet only I person had done so. Data on children show similar results. Conclusions. If an association exists, it must be extremely rare and not of public health significance.