This MMWR discusses the preliminary results of surveillance for Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) related to H1N1 flu vaccination. Initial findings show a rate of GBS among people receiving H1N1 vaccine similar to that found in seasonal influenza vaccines. No system has detected a statistically significant association between GBS and H1N1 vaccination; surveillance and further analyses are ongoing. The H1N1 vaccine safety profile is similar to that for seasonal influenza vaccines, which have an excellent safety record.
Planning efforts for the fall flu vaccine campaign are currently underway. Consent forms and other tools for schools conducting vaccine clinics are being developed and will be posted on the Maine CDC web site as soon as they are finalized, around the time that Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) are released.
A number of updates have been made to the www.maineflu.gov web site. Streamlined information for schools has also been posted.
