What are the Risks with the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) established a Hepatitis B-Neurological Demyelinating Omnibus Proceeding.
Here’s one compensated case for Transverse Myelitis:
A compensated case for Multiple Sclerosis:
A compensated case for Guillain-Barré Syndrome:
From the Recombivax (Merck) package insert:
Anaphylaxis and symptoms of immediate hypersensitivity reactions including rash, pruritus, urticaria, edema, angioedema, dyspnea, chest discomfort, bronchial spasm, palpitation, or symptoms consistent with a hypotensive episode have been reported within the first few hours after vaccination.
An apparent hypersensitivity syndrome (serum-sickness-like) of delayed onset has been reported days to weeks after vaccination, including: arthralgia/arthritis (usually transient), fever, and dermatologic reactions such as urticaria, erythema multiforme, ecchymoses and erythema nodosum (see WARNINGS and
Elevation of liver enzymes; constipation
Guillain-Barré Syndrome; multiple sclerosis; exacerbation of multiple sclerosis; myelitis including transverse myelitis; seizure; febrile seizure; peripheral neuropathy including Bell’s Palsy; radiculopathy; herpes zoster; migraine; muscle weakness; hypesthesia; encephalitis
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; alopecia; petechiae; eczema
Pain in extremity
Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate; thrombocytopenia
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); lupus-like syndrome; vasculitis; polyarteritis nodosa
Irritability; agitation; somnolence
Optic neuritis; tinnitus; conjunctivitis; visual disturbances
Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that immunization with the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine is associated with an increased risk of MS, and challenge the idea that the relation between hepatitis B vaccination and risk of MS is well understood.