Hepatitis B is one of the most important infectious causes of acute and chronic
liver disease both in the US and worldwide. In order to combat the life-threatening effects of
hepatitis B infection, recombinant
hepatitis B vaccines have been developed. The medical and scientific communities have generally accepted that recombinant
hepatitis B vaccine - a highly purified, genetically engineered, single
antigen vaccine - is a safe
vaccine. Information is presented showing that
hepatitis B vaccine contains yeast,
aluminium,
thimerosal and
hepatitis B surface antigen epitopes, which may result in
hepatitis B vaccine being associated with
autoimmune diseases among susceptible adult
vaccine recipients. There is little doubt that the benefits of this
vaccine overall far outweigh its risks. Physicians and patients should evaluate the risks and benefits of
hepatitis B vaccination and, together, make an informed consent decision as to whether to undergo vaccination. Individuals who experience an adverse reaction to
hepatitis B vaccination should report it to the
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System database and be advised that they may be eligible for compensation from the no-fault National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, administered by the US Court of Claims. The authors strongly urge that additional research be conducted into the molecular basis of adverse events following
hepatitis B vaccine administration, so that further recommendations may be made on how to improve their safety profiles.