# Strong unpleasant reactions to vaccines **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Created:** [October 30, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strong-unpleasant-reactions-to-vaccines/1024417 "2025-10-30T13:38:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 10
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strong-unpleasant-reactions-to-vaccines/1024417/10 "2025-10-30T15:26:58Z")
> [@Is there any connection whatsoever between getting a flu shot and getting the flu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-connection-whatsoever-between-getting-a-flu-shot-and-getting-the-flu/1024362/30): > > That is, as you note, generally true, but rare exceptions exist. I got a flu shot in the early 'Nineties (because someone I interacted with was on immunology-suppressent drugs for organ transplantation) that caused an extreme cytokine release syndrome that was much worst than any bout of influenza I’ve ever had, and put me off of getting the annual flu immunization for over twenty years. About 12 years ago I got [Guillan-Barre Syndrome](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/guillain-barre-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362793). It is an auto-immune disorder that attacks the nerves. It is not contagious at all, just happens to some people. The cause is uncertain but it was speculated that immunization shots might be a possible cause. They rev-up the immune system and the immune system attacks things you do not want attacked. I did not have a vaccination for years after that. Indeed, when I went for one once they handed me a sheet with two questions. I forget what question #2 was but the first was something like, “Have you ever had Guillan-Barre Syndrome?” I checked yes and they noped me right out of the room. I am not opposed to vaccines at all. I WANT to get vaccinated. But I need to be careful. I did do COVID vaccines because those seemed important to get more than my yearly flu vaccine and I have not had a problem with those. I still avoid yearly flu vaccines though. ETA: To be clear, it is not proven that vaccines cause Guillan-Barre Syndrome…it was mostly a guess and does not mean you should not get vaccinated (the syndrome is pretty rare). It does mean, for those who have had it, to be careful about vaccines in the future since they know they might be affected. Still best guesses though. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strong-unpleasant-reactions-to-vaccines/1024417)._