For many years there has been the suspicion that some diseases were related to an activation of the immune system caused by the Hepatitis B vaccine. Today, several studies have confirmed this fact and the risk for certain autoimmune diseases is quite high.

Italian version

Over the past years, the highly disputed reactions that could result from the hepatitis B vaccine seemed to be linked to alopecia and the possibility of developing demyelinating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis.

In reality, if we take a look at the latest findings revised by Geier (Geier DA, Geier MR Autoimmunity 2005 Jun;38(4):295-301) in a study of the official registers taken from the VAERS database (vaccine adverse events reporting system), the possibility that this vaccine facilitates or favors the insurgence of autoimmune diseases is quite high.

In performing this study, the researchers used the control case method in comparing people who had only received the anti-tetanus vaccination with those who had received the anti-tetanus and the anti-hepatitis B vaccinations.

The differences between the two groups were enormous and most of all the incidence of several autoimmune diseases was shown with extremely high Odd Ratios (that is, with statistic index of risk).

For almost all of the autoimmune illnesses that were found the statistic relevance was of a very high level (an average of p<0,00029 which means that the findings were fruit of a cause and effect relationship and by no means casual.

1. Rheumatoid arthritis: risk increased by 18 times
2. Optic neuritis: risk increased by 14 times
3. Lupus Erythematosus: risk increased by 9,1 times
4. Alopecia: risk increased by 7,2 times
5. Multiple Sclerosis: risk increased by 5,2 times
6. Thrombocytopenia: risk increased by 2,3 times
7. Vasculitis: risk increased by 2,06 times
8. Arthritis in general: risk increased by 2,01 times

A list like this can only leave us puzzled. As the authors of this study rightly stated, everyone must be able to serenely decide whether or not to receive a vaccination that is considered to be effective. However, the risks involved should not be hidden and people should be aware of them 

Italian version