Immunizations - Hepatitis B

(Page 3)

Side Effects of Hepatitis B Vaccine

Soreness. Soreness at the injection site is the most common side effect.

Nerve Inflammation. There have been some reports of nerve inflammation after vaccinations for hepatitis B, and there has been some concern about three studies associating the vaccine with a nonsignificant increase in multiple sclerosis. A 2001 study of 121,700 nurses reported no association between the vaccine and a risk for multiple sclerosis, and an earlier report on 260,000 Canadian adolescents also found no higher incidence. In addition, a review article published in 2006 found no evidence that hepatitis B vaccine is associated with multiple sclerosis, sudden infant death syndrome, or chronic fatigue syndrome.

---

---

Because of even a small theoretical risk of nerve damage in infants, some groups oppose the vaccination in children who are not in high-risk groups. Worldwide, 65 million people with chronic hepatitis are expected to die from liver disease and vaccinations are saving lives. For example, in Taiwan, where infection rates are high and infants are at risk for hepatitis B from infected mothers, vaccination programs have significantly reduced the risk for liver cancer. [For more information see In-Depth Report #59: Hepatitis.]

Review Date: 02/14/2007
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy; previously reviewed by Harvey Simon, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital (8/23/2006).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).