title: Don't exaggerate the systemic adverse effects of hepatitis B vaccination: the vaccine benefits people at risk.
abstract: (1) The initial clinical assessment files on hepatitis B vaccines showed no risk of severe systemic adverse effects.  (2) Pharmacovigilance data obtained in several countries show that hepatitis B vaccination carries a risk of very rare anaphylactic reactions.  (3) Anecdotal observations have raised the worrying possibility that neurological and "autoimmune" conditions may be caused or worsened by hepatitis B vaccination in some patients.  Current epidemiological data do not support this possibility, but do not formally exclude it.  (4) The risk-benefit ratio of hepatitis B vaccination is advantageous in people at risk.  (5) All mass vaccination programmes must include systematic monitoring of adverse effects.
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005602:France; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines