In 1990, I had the three Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccines.
Within days, I developed sinusitis and upper respiratory
tract infection ('flu). I recovered in time for the second
dose a month later which also pre dated further
infection and pneumonia. Lab results showed anti
bodies by the third and final injection six months later.
The next three years, were marked by recurrent Upper
Respiratory Tract Infections, swollen axilary glands, as
well as ongoing exhaustion (post viral fatigue queried),
irritability and elevated liver enzymes. With an almost
'permanent cold', I reduced working hours due to
fatigue. As my health slowly returned, liver enzymes
normalised, I accepted a permanent job. Then
following needle stick injury, in late 1993, blood tests
revealed no detectable antibodies and so I got a
booster.
The Northland Medical Officer of Health commented (in
a newspaper) that; "Adults do not respond as well to
the vaccine" (Jonathan Jarman Letters Northland Age
Feb - March 1996) and; "We occasionally find that staff
at the hospital do not develop antibodies. . ." While the
Director of the New Zealand Hepatitis Foundation, had
maintained that post vaccine exposure, or a
booster should; "produce an immediate rise in antibody
strength..." and " protection persists even if levels of
antibody become so low as to be undetectable".
(Letters Northland Age Feb - March 1996). The
'immune memory' theory though, did not produce the
rise in antibody level post vaccine as the NZHF director
had claimed.
Thus I was instructed to have booster with EngerixB in
November 1993. Within days, came the sinusitis then
'flu' and within two weeks, increasing poly arthritis,
which did not resolve after recovery from the flu. By the
height of our southern summer, in early January 1994,
crippled by pain and disability, I was unable to get out of
bed.
My career over, I read similar experiences from other
health professionals. I wanted answers but
documents obtained under the Official Information Act
were edited, substantial portions withheld. Available
literature was sparse although inserts supplied with
the vaccine, listed Guillaine Barre syndrome and
arthritis as some of the "rare" side effects (amongst
others). Some authors (Scandinavian Journal
Rheumatology Jan 1995) concluded that side effects
may perhaps remain largely underreported; could be
more frequent than currently recognised and pose
particular relevance for genetically predisposed
subjects. (My maternal grandfather had Rheumatoid
Arthritis). There are cases of other susceptible
people having developed RA and not merely a transient
migratory arthralgia post Hepatitis-B vaccination.
Utilising 'Recombinant-DNA' technology, this
inoculation has had a fairly recent introduction to New
Zealand. The earlier serum based vaccines were not
released until the early 1980's. Had I received the
information earlier, I would not have accepted either.
Despite mandatory informed consent laws in New
Zealand (Cartright Report 1988) mine was clearly not
an informed decision because of the lack of information
surrounding a fairly new vaccine.
Furthermore an Auckland medical school professor
admitted, at the time, (1994) that not much was known
about this relatively new inoculation while another
demonstrated that the efficacy of the vaccine was
hampered by effects of emotional trauma (stress) in the
lives of recipients. (Booth & Petrie) The immunologist
divided medical students into two groups for a small
survey. The first were instructed to focus on very
positive experiences, post vaccination while the other
group concentrated on their distressing life events. At
the end of the experiment, students who had dwelt on
the positive feelings had favourable response to the
vaccine, while those who experienced distress, did not
achieve desired immunity. The lecturer suggested
connection between the immune response and
emotions. (At the time of my vaccine booster, I was
under personal and work stress).
Vaccination is a calculated risk. The stated purpose is
to decrease the risk of disease or infection based on
recognised statistics. Hepatitis B vaccines are
relatively new. 'Recombinant DNA' technology used for
EngerixB is even more recent.
Regardless, Occupational health staff (and my area
manager!) insisted upon immunisation, saying that if I
got hepatitis from work, I would have trouble getting
Accdient Compensation entitlements. However for the
first two and a half years of my illness, I was forced to
survive on welfare anyway.
Unlike the nurse above, I cannot return to my job so live
hand to mouth, while I try to study part time at university.
Rapid Response:
Poly Arthritis post hep B vaccine
In 1990, I had the three Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccines.
Within days, I developed sinusitis and upper respiratory
tract infection ('flu). I recovered in time for the second
dose a month later which also pre dated further
infection and pneumonia. Lab results showed anti
bodies by the third and final injection six months later.
The next three years, were marked by recurrent Upper
Respiratory Tract Infections, swollen axilary glands, as
well as ongoing exhaustion (post viral fatigue queried),
irritability and elevated liver enzymes. With an almost
'permanent cold', I reduced working hours due to
fatigue. As my health slowly returned, liver enzymes
normalised, I accepted a permanent job. Then
following needle stick injury, in late 1993, blood tests
revealed no detectable antibodies and so I got a
booster.
The Northland Medical Officer of Health commented (in
a newspaper) that; "Adults do not respond as well to
the vaccine" (Jonathan Jarman Letters Northland Age
Feb - March 1996) and; "We occasionally find that staff
at the hospital do not develop antibodies. . ." While the
Director of the New Zealand Hepatitis Foundation, had
maintained that post vaccine exposure, or a
booster should; "produce an immediate rise in antibody
strength..." and " protection persists even if levels of
antibody become so low as to be undetectable".
(Letters Northland Age Feb - March 1996). The
'immune memory' theory though, did not produce the
rise in antibody level post vaccine as the NZHF director
had claimed.
Thus I was instructed to have booster with EngerixB in
November 1993. Within days, came the sinusitis then
'flu' and within two weeks, increasing poly arthritis,
which did not resolve after recovery from the flu. By the
height of our southern summer, in early January 1994,
crippled by pain and disability, I was unable to get out of
bed.
My career over, I read similar experiences from other
health professionals. I wanted answers but
documents obtained under the Official Information Act
were edited, substantial portions withheld. Available
literature was sparse although inserts supplied with
the vaccine, listed Guillaine Barre syndrome and
arthritis as some of the "rare" side effects (amongst
others). Some authors (Scandinavian Journal
Rheumatology Jan 1995) concluded that side effects
may perhaps remain largely underreported; could be
more frequent than currently recognised and pose
particular relevance for genetically predisposed
subjects. (My maternal grandfather had Rheumatoid
Arthritis). There are cases of other susceptible
people having developed RA and not merely a transient
migratory arthralgia post Hepatitis-B vaccination.
Utilising 'Recombinant-DNA' technology, this
inoculation has had a fairly recent introduction to New
Zealand. The earlier serum based vaccines were not
released until the early 1980's. Had I received the
information earlier, I would not have accepted either.
Despite mandatory informed consent laws in New
Zealand (Cartright Report 1988) mine was clearly not
an informed decision because of the lack of information
surrounding a fairly new vaccine.
Furthermore an Auckland medical school professor
admitted, at the time, (1994) that not much was known
about this relatively new inoculation while another
demonstrated that the efficacy of the vaccine was
hampered by effects of emotional trauma (stress) in the
lives of recipients. (Booth & Petrie) The immunologist
divided medical students into two groups for a small
survey. The first were instructed to focus on very
positive experiences, post vaccination while the other
group concentrated on their distressing life events. At
the end of the experiment, students who had dwelt on
the positive feelings had favourable response to the
vaccine, while those who experienced distress, did not
achieve desired immunity. The lecturer suggested
connection between the immune response and
emotions. (At the time of my vaccine booster, I was
under personal and work stress).
Vaccination is a calculated risk. The stated purpose is
to decrease the risk of disease or infection based on
recognised statistics. Hepatitis B vaccines are
relatively new. 'Recombinant DNA' technology used for
EngerixB is even more recent.
Regardless, Occupational health staff (and my area
manager!) insisted upon immunisation, saying that if I
got hepatitis from work, I would have trouble getting
Accdient Compensation entitlements. However for the
first two and a half years of my illness, I was forced to
survive on welfare anyway.
Unlike the nurse above, I cannot return to my job so live
hand to mouth, while I try to study part time at university.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests