FDA Adds Warning to J&J Vaccine Over Very Rare Side Effect

• Guillain-Barré syndrome is a very rare side effect known to occur after other infections and vaccinations.
• There have been 100 reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome out of the 12.8 million people who have been vaccinated with the one-dose Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.
• Health experts widely agree that the benefits of receiving the Johnson & Johnson far outweigh the risks.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a new warning for the Johnson & Johnson shot suggesting an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune reaction in which the immune system attacks the nervous system.

There have been 100 reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome out of the 12.8 million people who have been vaccinated with the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Most of the cases occurred in men over the age of 50 around 2 weeks after being vaccinated.

Most people who develop Guillain-Barré syndrome recover successfully after being treated in the hospital.

Health experts widely agree that the benefits of receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine far outweigh the risks.

People who have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome and want to receive a COVID-19 vaccine should talk with their doctor, as there are two other vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — to choose from.