Local teenager diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome questions COVID-19 vaccine after receiving first dose

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Wyatt McGlaun, a teenager from The Woodlands, said he received Guillan-Barre syndrome a few weeks after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

“I wanted to get the vaccine. I felt it was right to do so, “said McGlaun. “I wanted to travel and enjoy my last summer before college.”

However, he said, he became extremely weak and had difficulty walking when he was admitted to CHI St. Luke from The Woodlands where he was diagnosed.

“I just knew something was wrong. It wasn’t getting any better, “Wyatt said.

The NIH reports a case of GBS to an 82-year-old woman who also received a dose of vaccine.

Dr. Charles Sims, Montgomery County Health Authority and Infectious Disease Physician at St. Luke of The Woodlands said it is more often caused by a viral or bacterial infection and cannot say that the vaccine caused Wyatt’s condition.

“There have been cases observed in people who received the vaccine, but they do not have a higher rate than people who did not receive the vaccine. Guillan Barre is seen at one or two people per million a year, “said Dr. Sims.

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Therefore, Dr. Sims said the condition could be a coincidence.

While Wyatt’s parents have said they are not trying to discourage anyone from the vaccine, they want others to recognize if this is happening to them.

“Do some research,” said Joe McGlaun. “It’s a personal choice.”

“Listening to your body is the greatest thing I’ve learned,” Wyatt said.

Dr. Sims said that if side effects are reported to the CDC, they will be investigated. Wyatt’s family has said they intend to report it.