Hepatitis B Shot Tied To MS

[Tombstone]

Study Suggests It Finds An Association To The Vaccine

But One Expert Says It Could Be A Statistical Fluke

And Shouldn't Scare Those At Risk Away

By Randy Dotinga

HealthDay Reporter

9-15-4



(HealthDayNews) - Fueling the continuing debate over the safety of the popular hepatitis B vaccine, a new study suggests that it contributes to a tiny increase in the number of multiple sclerosis cases.



But a neurologist said the results may be a "statistical fluke," and the study authors don't tell adults or children to stop taking the vaccine, which prevents a potentially deadly type of liver disease.



"If you're in a population that is in any way at increased risk for hepatitis B, you should get the vaccine," said study co-author Susan Jick, an associate professor of epidemiology at Boston University. "The risk of getting hepatitis B and dying from it is much higher than the risk of getting MS."

http://www.healthcentral.com/news/NewsF ... ?id=521178

Here is more information to persue:



The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the hepatitis B vaccine (www.cdc.gov).