Hodge Jones & Allen

Guillain-Barré syndrome and CIDP caused by vaccination

 

17th January 2011

 

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a disorder of the peripheral nervous system (i.e. it affects the nerves in the body and not in the central nervous system – the brain). It is named after the French physicians who were the first to describe it in 1916. It is quite rare, affecting only 0.001% of the population. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a related illness which is an ongoing condition which may or may not respond to treatment.

 

GBS and CIDP are caused by an inflammatory process which damages the myelin protective sheath around nerve cells, causing them to dysfunction. All forms are due to an immune response which wrongly targets host nerve tissue rather than the infective antigens.

 

GBS and CIDP can be caused by viruses and in rare cases may be triggered by vaccination.

Hodge Jones & Allen LLP have expertise in dealing with claims for compensation caused by rare adverse reaction to vaccines causing serious permanent injury. If anyone believes they may have suffered GBS or CIDP as a result of a vaccination, we may be able to assist in securing compensation either under the Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979 or The Consumer Protection Act 1987. Anyone who believes they may have a claim is recommended to contact Peter Todd for free advice about how to recover compensation.