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The Swine Flu Vaccine and Guillain-BarrÉ Syndrome

Author

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  • D. A. Freedman

    (University of California, Berkeley)

  • Philip B. Stark

    (University of California, Berkeley)

Abstract

Epidemiologic methods were developed to prove general causation: identifying exposures that increase the risk of particular diseases. Courts often are more interested in specific causation: On balance of probabilities, was the plaintiff's disease caused by exposure to the agent in question? Some authorities have suggested that a relative risk greater than 2.0 meets the standard of proof for specific causation. Such a definite criterion is appealing, but there are difficulties. Bias and confounding are familiar problems; individual differences must be considered too. The issues are explored in the context of the swine flu vaccine and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The conclusion: There is a considerable gap between relative risks and proof of specific causation.

Suggested Citation

  • D. A. Freedman & Philip B. Stark, 1999. "The Swine Flu Vaccine and Guillain-BarrÉ Syndrome," Evaluation Review, , vol. 23(6), pages 619-647, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:evarev:v:23:y:1999:i:6:p:619-647
    DOI: 10.1177/0193841X9902300603
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    Cited by:

    1. Gaponenko, A.L. (Гапоненко, А.) & Savelyeva, Marina (Савельева, Марина), 2016. "Modern Factors of Competitiveness of Socio-Economic Systems: Organizations, Regions and Cities [Современные Факторы Конкурентоспособности Социально-Экономических Систем: Организаций, Регионов И Гор," Working Papers 453, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

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