Donald L. Eddins

TL;DR: Because of an increase in the number of reports of Guillian-Barre syndrome following A/New Jersey influenza vaccination, the National Influenza Immunization Program was suspended December 16, 1976 and nationwide surveillance for GBS was begun.

TL;DR: Although the long-term pattern of incidence is unknown, the incidence of reported SSPE declined dramatically from 1970 to 1976, and available epidemiologic evidence suggests that some extrinsic factor, unrelated to measles or measles vaccine, is important in the pathogenesis of the disease.

TL;DR: Children with SSPE were more likely to have suffered a serious head injury and to have come from larger families and more crowded homes than control children, and some infectious agent, transmitted from birds to man, may have contributed to the development of S SPE in predisposed individuals.

TL;DR: Although the majority of children received a vaccination by their first birthday, the coverage level at 24 months of age was low, and all children who are late in beginning their vaccination series are at increased risk of not completing the recommended vaccination series on time.

TL;DR: Widespread underreporting of illness and death in the passive phase of this surveillance system impaired the ability to draw conclusions about reactions to vaccine from the reports of illness received.