Are Hepatitis Vaccines Safe?
Are they Effective?
Are they Necessary?
by Robert Wheeler, DC

 

Hepatitis: An inflammatory process in the liver… Hepatitis A has an incubation period of about 2 to 6 weeks. Hepatitis B has an incubation period of about 6 to 25 weeks. Only Hepatitis A is common in children. Merck Manual, Sixth Edition.

Recently, the Anchorage School District voted unanimously to require five new vaccines for all schoolchildren. Among these vaccines are those for hepatitis A and B. There is mounting evidence that the hepatitis B vaccine in particular is associated with chronic immune and neurological disease in both children and adults. In the past decade, there have been many reports in medical journals (mostly international) linking hepatitis B vaccination to such diseases as lupus, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis and others.

In July 1998, 15,000 French citizens filed a class action lawsuit against the French government, accusing it of understating the risks of hepatitis B vaccination and "exaggerating the benefits for the average person." (Science magazine, 7-31-1998) In October of the same year, the Minister of Health in France suspended the hepatitis B vaccine requirement for school children after symptoms of chronic arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune and neurological disorders were reported following vaccinations. In addition to these disorders, the hepatitis B vaccine has been associated with anaphylactic shock, heart and liver conditions, juvenile onset diabetes, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Bell's Palsy, transverse myelitis, seizures and many other conditions. (These are documented in various medical journals, and are also noted in the vaccine manufacturer's -- SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals -- insert, July 1998).

Besides the danger of possible harm, one other major problem with the mandatory vaccination of children for this disease is that they are not at risk. Hepatitis B is very rare in the United States. According to data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), less than 0.5% of the U.S. population are carriers, and nearly all of these are in hospitals. (Hepatitis B occurs in approximately 8% of the population worldwide.)

In 1996, only 279 cases of hepatitis B were reported in children under the age of 14, while there were 872 serious adverse events reported in the same age group associated with hepatitis B vaccination. In other words, there were 68% more adverse reactions from the vaccine than were reported from natural infection! What we have here is a mandatory vaccine that is dangerous, for infants and children who are not at risk, for a disease which is extremely rare in children, and which usually resolves without complications.

The CDC, the Merck Manual (a standard reference for physicians) as well as the manufacturer of the vaccine all admit that the people most at risk for hepatitis B infection are 1) IV drug users; 2) prostitutes; 3) practicing homosexuals; 4) dialysis patients; and 5) health care workers exposed to human blood. Which of these categories justify immunizing 4 million children a year with a vaccine that carries known risks, which are often much more dangerous than hepatitis B infection? Recovery without treatment occurs in approximately 90% of those with hepatitis A and 80% of those with hepatitis B infections.

Hepatitis B usually resolves spontaneously, without treatment, after a 4 to 8 week illness. (In the elderly, mortality may reach up to 10 to 15%, however.) Once again, most children are not at risk. Further, hepatitis B infection via blood transfusion has been almost eliminated by avoiding unnecessary infusions, screening donors and using volunteers as opposed to paid donors. Until this recent change in vaccine policy, only infants born to infected mothers were recommended to receive vaccination. Why the sudden change? While it is true that Alaskan bush communities have higher than average rates of hepatitis A infections (due to a unique lifestyle), does this warrant mandatory vaccines for children statewide?

According to CDC data (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/h96surve.htm), there were 8,817 total cases of hepatitis A and 3,714 cases of hepatitis B reported in the United States in 1993. Of these, only 456 cases of hepatitis A occurred in children under 5 years old (or 5.2% of the total cases) and only 7 cases of hepatitis B in the same age group (or only 0.2 % of total cases). Of those children between 5 and 9 years of age, there were 1,066 cases of hepatitis A (12.1% of the total cases) and 15 cases of hepatitis B (0.4% of the total cases). Of the 22 hepatitis B cases occurring in children under 9 years of age, only 21% required hospitalization; further, no deaths resulted from infection in the 0-14 year old age group. The number of hospitalizations for hepatitis A in the infant to 14 year old age category were 10.6% and only 0.2% died. The justification for vaccination of infants was made by the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee in 1991 because children are accessible.

What we have is a mandatory vaccine that is dangerous, for infants and children who are not at risk, for a disease which is extremely rare in children, and which usually resolves without complications.

Regarding hepatitis A, the vaccine manufacturer's insert (SmithKline Beecham, June 1999), clearly states that the vaccine will not prevent infection in immunosuppressed individuals or in those who do not respond with high antibody titers. The insert also states that it has not been determined how high antibody titers must be to confer immunity. As noted by SmithKline Beecham, this vaccine "has not been evaluated for its carcinogenic (cancer causing) potential, mutagenic potential or impairment of fertility. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted... It is also not known whether Havrix (hepatitis A vaccine) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity... It is not known whether Havrix is excreted in human milk… As with all pharmaceuticals, however, it is possible that expanded commercial use of the vaccine could reveal rare adverse events not observed in clinical studies." In addition, the following reactions have been reported since licensure (not all are listed here -- see SmithKline Beecham insert, June 1999, for complete listing):
"convulsions, encephalopathy, dizziness, neuropathy, myelitis, paresthesia, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, multiple sclerosis...lymphadenopathy...jaundice, and hepatitis."

A local senator e-mailed me a couple of months ago encouraging my support in contacting other state legislators regarding a bill that would grant philosophical exemptions to vaccination in Alaska in addition to the current religious and medical exemptions. You do have a choice to forego these vaccines. I spoke with the Supervisor for the Department of Health and Human Services on October, 26, 2000, who informed me that school nurses must allow children into school who possess either a signed medical exemption or whose parent has signed a religious exemption. When I asked this person why we are vaccinating children who are not at risk for hepatitis B, she responded that we wanted to keep up with the lower 48. What kind of thinking is this?

Your child cannot be forced to have vaccinations. Neither schools nor health departments can assume responsibility for your child's health, and local health departments can not change federal law, which requires exemptions in every state. All parents do have a choice to forego the hepatitis A and B vaccines for their children. As mentioned, the state of Alaska currently offers two types of exemptions: medical or religious. (For more on this, see "School Vaccinations: Your Parental Rights" in the July/August 1999 issue of Alaska Wellness).

According to the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), a poll conducted in 1998 revealed that 2 out of 3 Americans want informed consent rights regarding vaccinations. In addition, 45% of Americans oppose hepatitis B vaccination for children to enter school and 59% of those who were told about the risks said they were less likely to support such mandatory vaccination laws. Only 25% of Americans believe that people should be forced to use drugs or vaccines that carry known risks. (NVIC poll performed by The Polling Company, December 1998. Margin of error is +/-3.1% at the 95% confidence level.)

The truth is that people with healthy immune systems will do fine without the vaccines, while those with unhealthy immune systems will be more likely to suffer symptomatic infection and will also be more likely to fail to produce antibodies from the vaccine. What we need to do is strengthen our immune systems naturally.

Alternative ways to strengthen the immune system without vaccines may include immune globulin injections utilized before a known exposure, homeopathic nosodes, chiropractic, and good nutrition. Other natural approaches that strengthen the immune system are also beneficial. All vaccines are not created equal. Tetanus is the safest that I have studied, though it too is not without risks, while hepatitis B and Pertussis are the most deadly. With this in mind, I believe there is something seriously wrong with the mandatory vaccination of children against a disease of which they are not at risk and which does not cause childhood fatalities. Hepatitis A has only recently been used in children so it will take time for the guinea pigs (our children) to begin manifesting reactions in high enough numbers to raise concern.

Please take the time to review the risks and dangers regarding vaccination. Choose to become informed. Let's stand up and fight for our children!

 

Dr. Wheeler is a practicing Chiropractor at Alaska Back Care Center and can be reached at (907) 349-4212 or via e-mail at alaskabackcare@gci.net. Dr. Wheeler is also the loving and informed father of 3 healthy children who have never been vaccinated.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on parental rights and vaccinations, read the following two articles.

 

Vaccination Decisions for Parents
by The National Vaccine Information Center

 

As of April 1999, the Federal Vaccine Injury Compensation program has compensated 1408 families at a cost of 1001.9 billion dollars.

Vaccination is a medical procedure that carries a risk of injury or death. As a parent, it is your responsibility to become educated about the benefits and risks of vaccines in order to make an informed, responsible vaccination decision.

The National Vaccine Information Center recommends that all parents ask the following eight questions before vaccinating their children:

1. Is my child sick right now?

2. Has my child had a bad reaction to a vaccination before?

3. Does my child have a personal or family history of:

	vaccine reactions
	convulsions or neurological disorders
	severe allergies
	immune system disorders

4. Do I know if my child is at high risk of reacting?

5. Do I have full information on the vaccine's side effects?

6. Do I know how to identify a vaccine reaction?

7. Do I know how to report a vaccine reaction?

8. Do I know the vaccine manufacturer's name and lot number?

RIGHTS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Your doctor is required by law to provide you with vaccine benefit/risk information materials before your child is vaccinated. Consumer groups, including the National Vaccine Information Center, worked with government health agencies to develop parent information booklets on each mandated vaccine. Ask your doctor for the booklet and take time to read it before your child is vaccinated. You may also ask your doctor to show you the information insert provided by the drug company that manufactured the vaccine(s) your child is scheduled to receive.

Your doctor is required by law to keep a permanent record of all vaccinations given, including the vaccine manufacturer's name and lot number. Ask for a copy of the doctor's record on vaccinations given to your child to keep for your records.

Your doctor is required by law to report all adverse events, including injuries and deaths that occur within 30 days after vaccination to federal health authorities. If your doctor refuses to report a reaction following vaccination, you have the right to report to the government yourself.

If your child is left permanently brain damaged or dies as a result of a vaccine reaction, you may be entitled to benefits under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. As of April 1999, the Federal Vaccine Injury Compensation program has compensated 1408 families at a cost of 1 billion, 13 million dollars. (See www.HRSA.DHHS.GOV/bhpr/vicp/monthly.htm)

WHAT CAN YOU DO:

	Become educated about childhood diseases and vaccines. You have the ultimate responsibility for your child's health and well being and you, not your doctor or state or federal health officials, will live with and be responsible for the consequences of your decision.
	Ask your doctor to give your child a physical exam to make sure your child is healthy before you permit vaccination. A sick child can be at increased risk for having a vaccine reaction.
	Write down your child's personal and family medical history listing major illnesses and diseases or medical conditions, especially previous reactions to vaccinations, and have it included in your child's permanent medical records. Before permitting vaccination of your child, ask your doctor if any of these conditions will put your child at risk for having a vaccine reaction. A child who has had a previous severe reaction to a vaccination can be especially at risk for even more severe reactions if more vaccine is given. If you are not satisfied with the answers you are given, get a second opinion.
	Monitor your child closely after vaccination. Call your doctor if you suspect a reaction. If your doctor is not concerned and you are, take your child to an emergency room.
	Obtain a copy of your state mandatory vaccination laws. Become educated about state vaccine requirements, your rights and legal exemptions to vaccination.
	Don't be intimidated by medical personnel and forced into a vaccination decision before you are comfortable with your decision.

The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) is a national, non-profit, educational organization founded in 1982 and dedicated to preventing vaccine injuries and deaths through public education. NVIC supports the right of American consumers to make informed, independent vaccination decisions for themselves and their children. For more information, write 512 W. Maple Ave., Suite 206, Vienna, VA 22180; call (703) 938-DPT3 or 1-800-909-SHOT; fax: (703) 938-5768; or visit their website at http://www.909shot.com

 

School Vaccinations:
Your Parental Rights
by Dr. Robert Wheeler, B.S., D.C.

 

Simply put, your child cannot be forced into immunization because neither the school nor the Health Department can assume responsibility for your child's health.

It's time to register your child for school, but you've decided that you do not want to take the risk of artificial immunizations. How do you legally bypass the forced vaccine agenda?

The State of Alaska offers two types of exemptions: medical or religious. I recommend pursuing the religious first, as it does not require the signature of a M.D. or D.O. Medical exemptions are useful for avoiding an individual type of vaccine, such as Hepatitis B. Your child or family must show a history of allergies, asthma or neurological complications. Allergies to eggs or other proteins are usually sufficient as decomposing proteins like eggs are often used to make vaccines. Medical exemptions can sometimes be reversed or required yearly by the school to monitor if your child's condition has changed.

If you choose to follow the religious exemption, you may not be able to pick and choose certain vaccines. Rather, you must state that you wish to forego all vaccines if you use this exemption. This exemption stems from the Supreme Court ruling in Shapiro v. Thompson, 394 U.S. 618. If a family's objection to immunization is due to a conscientiously and sincerely held religious belief, then they are entitled to an exemption. Formal church membership is not required as long as the family honestly believes and practices the tenets of a religious group. This means that you have the right to seek out any other outlook in addition to your own faith, including all denominations. One such religious group is Christian Science, whose bylaws state opposition to vaccination. This does not mean you have to join their church or claim to be a Christian Scientist, however.

According to Black's Medical Law Dictionary, your religion is your personal belief with God and has nothing to do with what church you go to. Therefore, if you feel that mandatory vaccinations that carry known risks including death and brain damage are against your religious beliefs and that God gave you your children to raise, you should have no problem using this exemption.

Readers may contact me or go to their local Health Department or school to get the required school exemption form. Alaska Administrative Code states, "I/We affirm that immunization is against the tenets and practices of the church or religious denomination of which the above child is a member." 4 AAC 06.055(b)(3).

If you have already given your child some shots and now choose to forego additional shots, you may tell school officials that you based your previous decision on misinformation and hence misinformed consent. You are now basing your decision on informed consent.

As mentioned in my former article (Jan/Feb issue of AKW), the CDC, FDA and vaccine manufacturers often do not know the risks involved because less than 10% of all adverse reactions are reported to these groups by doctors who are either afraid of being sued or do not recognize some children's symptoms as being vaccine related.

Simply put, your child cannot be forced into immunization because neither the school nor the Health Department can assume responsibility for your child's health. There are special rules sometimes for private schools that do not receive state funding. Parents of private school children may contact me for more information.

DO's and DON'Ts IF CONFRONTATION OCCURS

In many cases, school officials simply require that you sign an exemption form should you choose not to vaccinate your child. However, if this does not proceed smoothly and you feel you are being coerced, here are some basic guidelines:

	DO find out beforehand about the necessary requirements and exemptions.
	DO remain calm, confident and courteous if confronted about your beliefs.
	DO NOT become angry if school officials become defensive about the benefits of vaccinations. Some nurses, health workers and other officials may find it hard to understand why you would want an exemption as their formal education generally teaches them that vaccine risks are extremely rare.
	DO NOT take arrogant or condescending attitudes personally. Some individuals who are not fully informed about the potential harmful effects of vaccination may become rude rather than acknowledge their ignorance.
	DO NOT volunteer to stress at length why vaccines are wrong or harmful. Sharing information is fine, but forcing information on others or insisting that others see things your way only makes matters worse.
	DO NOT give in! Thank the officials if you aren't getting anywhere, leave and call me.

Dr. Robert Wheeler B.S., D.C., can be reached at Alaska Back Care Center (907) 349-4212 in Anchorage (formerly at Total Health) or at Wheeler Chiropractic Clinics (907) 694-0310 in Eagle River.