CDC recommends suspension of the program

October–December 1976: Adverse Events & Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

• Reports of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, begin to surface
• Approximately 45 million people are vaccinated
• Over 500 cases of GBS reported, with at least 25 deaths attributed
• Public concern and media coverage intensify
• Public confidence drops sharply

December 16, 1976: Vaccination Program Suspended

• Over 45 million Americans vaccinated
• Approximately 500 cases of GBS reported, with 25 deaths linked to the vaccine
• CDC recommends suspension of the program
• Dec 16: CDC suspends the vaccination program due to GBS risk and lack of evidence that the virus is spreading