Seventeen Canadians became sick after receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine, the Toronto Sun reported.
Four people have Guillan-Barre syndrome, and 13 people had anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction characterized by symptoms of anaphylactic shock, rapid heartbeat, itching and/or difficulty breathing, said Andrew Morrison, spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
One recipient of the vaccine, Donna Hartlen, is a 39-year-old mother who is suffering from Guillan-Barre syndrome. The right side of Hartlen’s face is now paralyzed and she is not able to chew food.
It is not known why Guillan-Barre syndrome, in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system, affects some people, but not others.
Health Canada pulled a batch of the H1N1 vaccine, which was produced by GlaxoSmithKline, when it appeared to produce higher rates of allergic reactions compared to other batches.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.