Influenza vaccines and guillain-barre syndrome: the continuing question.

Abstract

Influenza is a global public health problem, with complications of seasonal influenza resulting in thousands of deaths and substantial morbidity worldwide. Periodically, particularly virulent viral strains emerge, resulting in more infections and fatalities (e.g., influenza A [H1N1] virus and influenza A/H5N1, "bird flu"). Influenza infection may be prevented or mitigated by vaccination; seasonal vaccine is highly effective in reducing clinical illness and limiting viral spread through respiratory droplets.