As the novel coronavirus mutates into new variants and pharmaceutical companies work on finding ways to curtail the dangerous mutations, Europe and UK are investigating a rare nerve-degenerating disorder in some people after likely taking the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine.
Reports suggest seven cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome were reported from a medical centre in Kerala as well, where about 1.2 million people were administered the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, known as Covishield in India.
While detailed analysis is yet to be released, European regulators say that they have requested more details from AstraZeneca. It should also be noted that the cases being reported are extremely few from among the tens of million who have been vaccinated around the world.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rare neurological condition that causes the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own protective coatings on nerve fibres. The syndrome usually follows a bacterial or viral infection and has previously been linked to (non-Covid-19) vaccinations. However, researchers have found the chances of developing GBS after vaccination are extremely small.
The first symptoms of the syndrome include extreme weakness that can eventually paralyse the entire body. Other symptoms include prickling, pins and needles sensations in fingers, toes, ankles or wrists, difficulty with facial movements, including speaking, chewing, inability to move eyes, difficulty with bladder control, and breathing problems.
Discussion about this post