Reply To: Tetanus shot – yeah or nay after GBS

There exists a small risk of triggering GBS from vaccinations, including tetanus vaccinations. The risk is probably increased for those that have already been afflicted with an autoimmune disease such as GBS.

The debate continues about the risks and each of us respond differently to the various vaccines. Perhaps in the near future researchers will find more conclusive evidence about what causes our autoimmune systems to produce antibodies that no longer recognize “self”. But for now, each of us has to make our own decisions about getting a vaccination.

Rabies is an awful disease that can be fatal if allowed to progress to the stage where neurological symptoms are present. Normally one should begin vaccinations for rabies within six days of contracting it. The risks of triggering GBS are far less in most people than what the rabies can do to them. Even though I have GBS/CIDP/MFS, I would not hesitate to get the tetanus shot if I had rabies. Rabies is a 100% vaccine-preventable disease according to WHO:
http://www.who.int/rabies/about/en

More information on the risks of GBS from the tetanus shot are here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3204303
https://tinyurl.com/ycdca3yw