More than 20 million persons have received hepatitis B vaccine in the United States and more than 500 million persons have received the vaccine worldwide. There is no confirmed scientific evidence that hepatitis B vaccine causes chronic illness, including multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or autoimmune disorders. There is no risk of HBV infection from the vaccine. Large-scale hepatitis B immunization programs in Taiwan, Alaska, and New Zealand have observed no association between vaccination and the occurrence of serious adverse events. Although none of the persons who developed anaphylaxis died, anaphylactic reactions can be life-threatening, and therefore further vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine is contraindicated in persons with a history of anaphylaxis after a previous dose of vaccine.
Studies are in progress to better quantify the possible slight risk of hair loss.
Eventually, in most patients, remissions do not reach baseline levels and permanent disability and sometimes death occurs. The cause of MS is unknown. MS is 3 times more common in women than men, with diagnosis usually made as young adults. The concern that hepatitis B vaccination may cause MS or exacerbate it derives from case reports and media attention in France and, more recently, televised news reports in the United States. However, it is possible that these MS case reports are purely coincidental to hepatitis B vaccination.