Janssen vaccine: "Very interesting results" despite the risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome

The warning was given by the American drug agency: an "increased" risk of contracting Guillain-Barré syndrome after the injection of the single-dose Janssen vaccine has been observed in the United States.

This neurological disease remains very rare, however.

Symptoms 42 days after the injection

Out of 12.5 million doses administered, 100 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome have been identified in the United States.

This neurological impairment is characterized by weakness or even progressive paralysis, most often starting in the legs and sometimes going up to reach the muscles of breathing then the nerves of the head and neck.

Of the 100 people who contracted the symptom, 95 were hospitalized and one died. 

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This disease affects between 3,000 and 6,000 people each year in the United States.

The syndrome rate detected after administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is therefore barely higher than that found in the general population.

In its warning, the US Medicines Agency says that in most people, symptoms begin within 42 days of receiving the vaccine.

"Vaccine choices remain whole in France"

If in doubt, the US drug agency will strengthen its surveillance.

But at this stage, the link with the vaccine is not certain, specifies Professor Jean-Daniel Lelièvre.

"We have still very interesting results with this vaccine against the Delta variant and on the persistence of a long-term antibody level", explains this expert at the Haute Autorité de santé.

Before affirming: "therefore the vaccine choices remain whole in France".

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The use of the Janssen vaccine remains marginal in France.

Especially since it is reserved for over 55s.

90% of appointments made over the past 24 hours, following Emmanuel Macron's announcements, concern Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.