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Here you will find several articles and
news releases discussing the links between the Hepatitis B vaccine and autoimmune diseases
such as Still's and RA. There is also a research abstract on Still's and
Hepatitis B vaccine.
Hepatitis B Vaccine Linked
To Autoimmune Rheumatoid Diseases
SAN DIEGO, CA -- Nov. 9, 1998 --
Data from France links immunisation against hepatitis B to the
development of autoimmune rheumatoid diseases such as lupus and
rheumatoid arthritis. The rise of autoimmunity following hepatitis B
immunisation in school children and adults has become a major public
health concern.
The data was released at the 62nd annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology,
held Nov. 8-12, 1998 in San Diego, CA.
In October, the Ministry of Health in France suspended routine hepatitis B immunisation of
school children while continuing hepatitis B immunisation at birth. The reason for this
decision was reportedly the increased risk of autoimmune diseases that has been associated
with the vaccine when it is given starting at school age or later.
The data from France links hepatitis B immunisation to both the
development of newly-diagnosed cases of autoimmune rheumatoid diseases as well as the
exacerbation of previously diagnosed cases that were in remission. This finding is
supported by data from Canada published in September which linked immunisation against
hepatitis B to the development of autoimmune rheumatoid diseases in fire-fighters.
John Classen, M.D. an immunologist at Classen Immunotherapies, published papers linking
the immunisation against hepatitis B and other diseases to the development of insulin
dependent diabetes, an autoimmune disease. Dr. Classen's work found that immunisation
starting after two months of life was associated with an increased risk of autoimmunity
compared to starting at birth. Data from a small study published by the US government
appears to support his data and showed that when hepatitis B immunisation was given
starting after two months of life it was associated with an almost doubling of the risk of
diabetes.
"The data from humans and animals is very clear, when you stimulate the immune system
with vaccines you increase the risk of autoimmunity and exacerbate smouldering
inflammatory conditions," Classen said. "Vaccine induced autoimmunity is a major
public health problem because of the number of vaccine doses given and the large
percentage of people with undiagnosed inflammatory conditions. We need to develop ways of
giving vaccines without increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases.
"The French decision to continue hepatitis B immunisation at birth while
discontinuing immunisation starting at school age suggests the French Ministry of Health
may believe that they can decrease vaccine induced autoimmunity by giving vaccines
starting in the first month of life. They appear to be accepting our findings."
Hep B
vaccine Congressional hearing on safety
For immediate release
May 19, 1999
HEPATITIS B VACCINE VICTIMS ASK CONGRESS FOR HEALTH AGENCY INVESTIGATION
AND INFORMED CONSENT PROTECTIONS
Washington, D.C. –Families with
members, who have suffered injuries or deaths following hepatitis B vaccinations and
research scientists appealed to Congress today for better vaccine safety studies and
informed consent protections in mandatory vaccination laws. At a hearing of the U.S. House
subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources of the Committee on
Government Reform chaired by Congressman John Mica (R-FL), the National
Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) called for funding of independent (non-government,
non-industry) research into reports of hepatitis B vaccine associated health problems.
Testimony by teenagers, adults and parents of children, who died or were left with severe
joint and head pain, chronic physical exhaustion, rashes and skin lesions, vision loss,
seizures and other autoimmune and neurological dysfunction after hepatitis B vaccinations,
was presented to the committee. Michael Belkin, of New York City, described the death of
his five week old daughter, Lyla Rose; 16-year old Lindsay Kirschner, of Florida told the
committee about how the side effects of her hepatitis B vaccine reactions have kept her
out of school; Judy Converse, M.P.H., of Connecticut, described how her newborn son,
Nicholas, was left with seizures and developmental problems after his hepatitis B vaccine
reactions; and Betty Fluck, R.N., of Indiana, described how she has to wear leg braces
because of reactions to hepatitis B shots she was required to get as a condition of
employment.
Three medical researchers, including Bonnie Dunbar, Ph.D., of Houston, Professor of Cell
Biology, Baylor College of Medicine; Burton Waisbren, M.D., of Milwaukee, a cell biologist
and infectious disease specialist; and Barthelow Classen, M.D., of Baltimore, President of
Classen Immunotherapies, criticized the scientific studies used to license the recombinant
hepatitis B vaccine and require its universal use in all newborns and children.
Barbara Loe Fisher, co-founder and president, National Vaccine
Information Center, reported she has filed two requests under the
Freedom of Information Act with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for
Disease Control asking the two federal health agencies to release to the public copies of
peer reviewed, scientific studies and other documentation used to license the recombinant
hepatitis B vaccine and to support the safety of the 1991 recommendation that all newborn
infants at 12 hours old receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
The National Vaccine Information Center, a non-profit, educational
organization founded in 1982 representing families affected by vaccine injuries and
deaths, health care professionals and parents, called for:
an investigation into federal health agency licensing and policymaking
standards applied to the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine;
special congressional appropriations to fund non-government,
non-industry conducted scientific research to identify genetic and other high risk factors
for reacting to hepatitis B vaccine;
the institution of informed consent protections in current vaccine
policies.
Fisher told the committee "The lack of informed consent protections in mass
vaccination programs is leading to fear and mistrust of the whole vaccination system.
What we hear parents saying is: show us the science and give us a choice"
Doctors Ask
Shalala: Stop Endangering Children with Flawed Vaccine Policy
Contact: Kathryn Serkes, 202-333-3855, for the Association of American Surgeons
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Association of American Surgeons (AAPS) is
asking the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reverse its policy of
recommending mandatory vaccines, particularly for hepatitis B.
In a letter sent to today to HHS Secretary Donna Shalala signed by AAPS Executive Director
Jane M. Orient, M.D., the group calls upon HHS to ask state health departments to place an
immediate moratorium on mandatory vaccines, citing concerns over safety and informed
consent:
"We are hearing concerns from many parents about the number of vaccines that their
children are receiving to comply with state or school districts mandates based on
recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control. The Association of American
Physicians is deeply concerned that federal vaccine policy results in the violation of
informed consent, and is based on incomplete studies of efficacy and potential adverse
effects of the vaccines...
"In many venues, these principles are being violated.
`Recommendations´ by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices are often
transformed into mandates by state health departments, with or without the specific
agreement by the legislature, and in turn, by school districts that require this medical
treatment as a condition of attendance. If children do not receive all the mandated
vaccines, because of their beliefs or individual medical circumstances, they may be
deprived of their liberty to associate with others or of their supposed `right´ to a
public education. Parents may give `consent´ to the vaccine under duress, such as the
threat of having their children taken from them....
"There is also increasing concern about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines so
mandated. The rotavirus vaccine is a case in point. One day it was considered a `must,´
and the main issue for discussion was how to force HMOs to pay for it. Then, on July 16,
CDC spokesman Barbara Reynolds told The New York Times that `no one should now be giving
this vaccine to anyone.´ Despite the occurrence of intussuception in clinical trials, at
a rate about 30 times that previously reported by the CDC, physicians were not warned to
watch for this complication, which can be fatal in the absence of prompt
treatment...
"Many questions have been raised about the use of hepatitis B vaccine in groups at
low risk for the disease, including newborns and young schoolchildren...For example,
serious adverse effects after receiving the vaccine -- including 48 deaths -- are reported
three times as frequently as cases of hepatitis B in children under the age of 14..."
In recent months, many states have reconsidered their mandatory vaccine policies. Last
week, all but two of Connecticut's birthing hospitals suspended routine hepatitis B
vaccines for newborns.
"While we acknowledge that vaccines, in the past have prevented many serious
illnesses, they also have the potential to do great harm if given to the wrong
individual," says Dr. Orient. "That decision must be made by the patient (or
parent) in consultation with their physician --
not through coercion by a government agency or school district."
--- AAPS, founded in 1943 to protect the sanctity of the
patient-physician relationship, is dedicated to the Oath of Hippocrates and represents
physicians in all specialties nationwide.
--- Editors Note: Letter to Dr. Shalala and AAPS Congressional testimony on 8/3 are posted
at: aapsonline.org
-0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 08/03 13:04
Copyright 1999, U.S. Newswire
Adult Onset Still's
disease triggered by Hepatitis A and B vaccination
Maladie de Still de l'adulte apres
vaccination contre l'hepatite A et
B?
In: Rev Med Interne (1998 Feb) 19(2):134-6
ISSN: 0248-8663 (Published in French)
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A and B vaccination are generally very well
tolerated. However, exceptional cases of arthritis and systemic
diseases have been reported after hepatitis B vaccination. CASE
REPORT: The authors report a case of adult Still's disease apparently
triggered by hepatitis A and B vaccination. The patient was a 38-year- old
woman who presented with fever, hepatitis, pneumonitis and neurologic symptoms,
compatible with the diagnosis of adult Still's disease.
DISCUSSION: The authors discuss
the rarity of systemic
diseases triggered by such vaccination, the link between hepatitis B
virus and some vasculitis, and the possibility for viral bacterial
infections to trigger adult Still's disease.
Institutional address:
Service de medecine interne V
hopital Louis-Mourier
Colombes.
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