One Brand of Hepatitis B Vaccine has link to Multiple Sclerosis

[Quixotic1]

This is BIG NEWS!  I have always said that they have not shown a risk for developing MS after Hepatitis B vaccination.  A study was reported in Neurology this month in the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Clinics:

http://www.mscare.org/cmsc/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=570&Itemid=181

shows that there is a risk in children.  The risk appears about 3 years after vaccination.  The risk is predominantly associated with the use of Energix B by GlaxoSmithKline (I think the most common vaccine we use in this country).

This is news to me and I will change my answers to people in the future.

Quix

[tot_teacher]

Quix,

Thanks for relaying that information regarding Hep B vaccine.  I received the vaccine from UNC-CH Health Clinic after a clinical exposure while I was in school in a dental clinic. (1990-91 ?  I wonder if they still would have my student health record with documentation of the date/brand of vaccine)  Odd that symptoms began very shortly after that series of shots were finished (probably w/in a year or so).

Thanks again.  I feel this info warrants documentation on my Timeline just in case there may be something to it.

- Alisa

[wishforchange]

What to do?  Occupational health are chasing me again with their big scary needle and I'm getting out of breath running.  Remember posting to you about this a long time back. Now feel inclined to tell them no again, as that is the brand they use  (assuming, was the one in my last two jobs, think it's the national treasure) , and with my current developments healthwise.  Flip side is I don't want to get Hep B.  Some choice eh?

I only work with radiographic films, not exactly cutting edge high risk work anyway  - even if the patient is bloodied it's not me cleaning them up.  What do I do if the scary OH nurse catches up with me?  But they insist we all have the jab.  At least the running's building up my leg strength I suppose (when I say 'running' more of a lurching hysterically fast with my stick, and is metaphorical anyway....not sure I got enough sleep last night suddenly)

worried wish

[jensequitur]

Ah, then I won't worry about it!  

The little bit of research I did indicated that they have the government contract in Texas, which I thought was interesting.

[Quixotic1]

There were no vaccines for Hep B then, I don't think.

Q

[jensequitur]

I received my vaccines at the normal age for them - I have no idea what that was, but I was probably 7 or 8 years old.  Does anybody know if Energix B was in use in 1979?

[saveone]

I too have had the HEP shots.  I took them because of the population I worked with, which increased the risk of exposure.  That was in 1998 I think.  Looking back I think my first episode was in 1985 then the next was in 1999. So probably there isn't any connection but maybe then it triggered the relapse.

[Sunnytoday]

I got mine late... ours was a very lax county and I had somehow missed mine... I think I had Hep shots at about 14 or 15.... and three years later started having symptoms... that's just weird. I don't think I'll give it much more thought than that, or should I? how strange.... oh well, what you learn is amazing!!
~Sunnytoday~