Prior to Ben being born his mom spent a lot of time researching how to deliver and raise a healthy baby. One of her concerns was the Hepatitis B vaccine being administered so early. She expressed those concerns with the doctor and was assured that the shot could be delayed with no problem.
When Ben was born we were all in heaven, laughing, crying, and attending to Erica who had just given a problem free, delivery to a healthy young boy. The nurses took Ben aside to an area in the room equipped to washing him down, suck snot out, weigh, measure and without our knowledge, inject a Hepatitis B vaccine into our perfectly pure newborn child.
I saw this out of the corner of my eye, needle poised ready to jab and I shouted, on camera, to STOP!
The nurse put down the needle, and I went over there and told her what arrangements we had make with the doctor prior to Ben’s birth.
When we discovered that Ben had autism we requested copies of his records with the pediatrician. In Ben’s records we found a note saying that Ben received his HepB vaccine the day he was born.
Hard to believe that we never knew. We said no, I yelled no, and made a big stink about it on the most joyous occasion of my life. And yet according to documental evidence, Ben received the vaccine anyway.
Upon further review of his records we find that he also received another HepB vaccine on June 23, 2006, This according to his official NC Department of Health and Human Services Lifetime Immunization Record.
This was the first betrayal of many by those trusted with the health and well-being of our son.
The reason to jab day old babies with the Hepatitis B vaccine, according to the CDC:
“Except for infants born to mothers with this infection, children are not at great risk of developing hepatitis B, but health-care workers, homosexuals, and intravenous drug users are. Attempts to vaccinate adults have been largely unsuccessful, however. It’s easier to reach children because school enrollment requires immunization.
Therefore, for lifelong protection, CDC has recommended that all infants be vaccinated before 15 months of age in three doses.”
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/reprints/vaccine.html
FROM THE CDC
What are the risks from hepatitis B vaccine?
A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of hepatitis B vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
Getting hepatitis B vaccine is much safer than getting hepatitis B disease.
Most people who get hepatitis B vaccine do not have any problems with it.
Mild problems
- soreness where the shot was given, lasting a day or two (up to 1 out of 11 children and adolescents, and about 1 out of 4 adults)
- mild to moderate fever (up to 1 out of 14 children and adolescents and 1 out of 100 adults) Why are adults able to handle it better?
Severe problems
- serious allergic reaction (very rare)
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm#hepb
Some people should not get hepatitis B vaccine or should wait.
People should not get hepatitis B vaccine if they have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to baker’s yeast (the kind used for making bread) or to a previous dose of hepatitis B vaccine. How does someone know what allergies an hour old infant has prior to the shot?
People who are moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover before getting hepatitis B vaccine.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/should-not-vacc.htm#hepb
"Look at me!" but he couldn't, not for a year. 
Vaccine Court: Hepatitis B Shot Caused MS
By David Kirby, Age of Autism
All eyes are on Vaccine Court this week, as people await rulings in the autism “test cases” on MMR and thimerosal. But another omnibus proceeding involving Hepatitis B vaccine and autoimmune disorders in adults, including MS, has already been quietly ruling in favor of several petitioners.
The most recent case was announced about a week ago. In it, the Court ruled that the victim, an adult female, had contracted a form of demyelinating disease and MS, and eventually died, after receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine series. It was just the most recent case in a rash of rulings in the omnibus proceeding dealing with hepatitis B vaccine and “demyelinating diseases such as transverse myelitis (TM), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease (CIDP), and multiple sclerosis (MS),” according to court papers.
“Petitioner has prevailed on the issue of entitlement. The medical records during decedent’s final hospitalization reflect that she died from demyelinating disease. Not only did decedent have a vaccine injury, but also her death was vaccine-related,” wrote the Special Master in the case.
Interestingly, the US government chose not to present any expert witnesses, nor to contest the case any further.
But the family of the deceased woman had presented testimony from an expert witness who stated that, “It is biologically plausible for hepatitis B to cause demyelination because vaccines are composed of organic compounds of viral or bacterial origin, whether recombinant or otherwise, whose purpose is to initiate an immune response in the recipient,: the Court noted in the ruling. “But if any of the vaccine antigens shares a homology with the recipient’s antigens, the host’s immune response will attack both the vaccine antigens and the host’s antigens, resulting in an autoimmune response. This concept is also known as molecular mimicry and is well-established in immunology.”
In the last few years, it turns out, the Federal Vaccine Court has issued a number of rulings in favor of petitioners seeking compensation for Hepatitis B vaccine-related demyelinating diseases, especially MS.
What is also notable about all the Hep B rulings is that they fly in the face of the reasoned opinion of an IOM panel that looked into the matter in 2002. That committee determined that “the epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between the hepatitis B vaccine in adults and multiple sclerosis.” Likewise, the panel said that it “does not recommend that national and federal vaccine advisory bodies review the hepatitis B vaccine on the basis of concerns about demyelinating disorders.”
Apparently, Vaccine Court Special Masters are willing to make their rulings independent of what the IOM has decreed (and given the IOM’s spotty track record on the etiology of illnesses such as Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome, perhaps there is a solid legal underpinning for that).
So, what does any of this have to do with the autism cases? Perhaps nothing. But, if the autism Special Masters suggest that more research is needed, one area that scientists may want to explore is demyelination in autism and its many potential causes.
Myelin is the fatty acid sheath that protects and insulates nerve cells and the brain. Some people with autoimmune disorders, including MS, present with damage to myelin in the brain.
Myelin damage has long been suspected in autism, though the jury is still out on this question. One thing that does seem to be certain is that children with ASD appear to have unusually high levels of antibodies to myelin basic protein, or MBP. That would suggest they might have myelin damage as well. Some studies have also shown highly elevated levels (up to 90%) of MBP antibodies in ASD children who received the MMR vaccine. The development of MBP antibodies could possibly be caused by a reaction to the live measles virus in the vaccine, because the virus may mimic the molecular structure of MBP. (The finding of antibodies to MBP is also associated with MS, which is a demyelinating disorder).
This vaccine-myelin association was also supported by a study in the October, 2008 issue of the journal Neurology. It reported that exposure to Hep B vaccine in children was associated with a 50% increased risk for CNS inflammatory demyelination of 50 percent (OR: 1.50; 0.93–2.43). This was especially true for children who got GlaxoSmithKline’s Engerix B vaccine, in which case the risk was elevated by 74% (1.74; 1.03–2.95). Among ASD children with confirmed multiple sclerosis, the risk increased by 177% (2.77; 1.23–6.24).
“Hepatitis B vaccination does not generally increase the risk of CNS inflammatory demyelination in childhood,” the authors concluded. “However, the Engerix B vaccine appears to increase this risk, particularly for confirmed multiple sclerosis, in the longer term. Our results require confirmation in future studies.”
Of course more studies are needed, but it is becoming more difficult these days to argue that there is no active immune/inflammatory response going on in the brains of autistic individuals, and even harder to contest that MBP is associated with at least one aspect of that response, although there are likely others. The MBP findings are not 100% concordant, but there is a fair amount of supportive evidence.
Equally intriguing, along these lines, is a new study published in the Journal of Child Neurology. That paper reported that “anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein positivity” was found in a stunning 62.5% of the autistic children studied. And, a family history of autoimmunity was five times more common in ASD children (50%) than controls (9.4%).
“Anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein serum levels were significantly higher in autistic children than those without such history,” the authors wrote. “Autism could be, in part, one of the pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders. Further studies are warranted to shed light on the etiopathogenic role of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein antibodies and the role of immunotherapy in autism.”
This information is tantalizing, to say the least. And it could provide new avenues of research into the role of vaccines, demyelinating diseases, “autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders,” and autism.
If the HepB series can destroy myelin in some kids and adults, and cause full-blown MS in adults, then is it really that “fringe” to investigate the plausibility of a biological mechanism whereby some vaccines (including MMR) in a subset of susceptible infants might produce symptoms that are characteristic of autism and/or other neuro-developmental disorders?
For years, the US Government and the IOM have insisted that Hepatitis B vaccine does not and can not cause MS. But the Federal Vaccine Court has now, essentially, overturned that opinion. Will the Court now do the same for vaccines and autism? I don’t think so – not this week. But it just might keep that door slightly ajar for the future.
Ben was born April 17, 2006.
Weight: 7-7 , at 3 months 14.5 (90%), at 6 months 15 (75%), at 9 months 16.25 (50%), at 12 months 17.5 (35-40%)
Chest: 13.25
Length: 19.75, at 3 months 23.5 (75%), at 6 months 28 (95%), at 9 months 29.5 (95%), at 12 months 31.5 (95%)
Head Circumference: 13.75, head size at 4 months 17 (75%), at 9 months 18 (60%) 12 months 18.5 (60%)
Description of Abnormal Findings at Birth: eyes (red reflux), lungs (faint end exp sound- transmitted upper sinus), genitalia (testes down)
Description of Abnormal Findings at Discharge: erythema toxicum (rash)
Vaginal birth, full term
Apgar score @ one is 9
Apgar score @ five is 9
Delivery complications: Loose nuchal cord
(The incidence of one coil of the umbilical cord around the neck was 21.7% in all births)
Breast fed.
Hearing test: passed 35db
Time of Birth: 22:21
Blood Work @ 34 hrs. : everything normal
To Ben’s mom:
I have just read your contributions to the article in the Salt Lake Tribune. I wanted to thank you for them, and encourage you to continue to give the public the benefit of your research on this matter. Don’t be put off by the naysayers; some parent(s) will benefit by them.
I also want to encourage you to make sure that your son’s case history gets written up properly, and gets reported, hopefully all the way to the VAERS. Besides all the biomeds you can come up with for him, the best thing you can do is make sure the ‘system’ doesn’t get away with not recording his results. It is because the med profession hasn’t had to make mandatory reports on these vax damage cases that the public doesn’t know about it all; nor do many honest medics, who have been brainwashed, by such as the IOM reports referred to by David Kirby in his excellent summary above of the sad case of MS.
May you have progress in trying all you can to bring about progress for your son. That effort benefits many.
I just read your comment over at about.com’s autism blog and followed the link here. I cannot stop reading your story, Ben’s story.
I firmly believe my daughter’s Hep B series were what caused her mitochondrial disease and autistic-like characteristics. The genetics were there and just needed a good push to be thrown out into the open. I’ve blogged about her history in much detail if you’re interested and I’m off to read more of your site!!
Here’s the post where I specifically blogged about her Hep B reactions:
http://hopefaithgoodnessofgrace.blogspot.com/2009/02/hepatitis-b-vaccine-reaction.html
An abstract of the study was published in the September, 2009 issue of the respected journal Annals of Epidemiology. In it, Carolyn Gallagher and Melody Goodman of the Graduate Program in Public Health at Stony Brook University Medical Center, NY, wrote that, “Boys who received the hepatitis B vaccine during the first month of life had 2.94 greater odds for ASD compared to later– or unvaccinated boys. Non-Hispanic white boys were 61% less likely to have ASD.”
The authors used U.S. probability samples obtained from National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 1997-2002 datasets.
The conclusion states that: “Findings suggest that U.S. male neonates vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine had a 3-fold greater risk of ASD; risk was greatest for non-white boys.”
From http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/new-study-hepatitis-b-vac_b_289288.html
I was a previous healthy worker then I received the Hep B vaccine for work in the NHS in the UK.
I now have progressive multiple sclerosis diadnosed, and have abnormal MRI, Macrophagic myofasciitis. Which is vaccine damage also found on biopsy of my muscles, I have also abnormal liver enzymes and abnormal liver biopsy results since the vaccine.
My health has deteriorated after this vaccine and i am faced with chronic fatigue, multisite pain and many symptoms.
1/3 Macrophagic myofasciitis cases go on to develope multiple sclerosis. There has been no help at all from the uk Industrial injury system for me and a service with many concerns and there has been no help for occupational injury.
Where is the duty of care for those who have a serious adverse reaction to a vaccine. We dont need more promotional vaccine information but duty of care after vaccine injury. There is no linked up thinking in the uk when such serious problems occur and the hepatits B vaccine is not even listed for injury damage payments and help even though it is recommended by the NHS for work.
No health and safety was carried out for the number of injury taking place at work after this vaccine and no follow up of those injured, i know i was one of the injured and i reported my injury and have had no follow up from the MHRA.
It is recognised that the hepatits B vaccine can cause significant serious injury yet we have a system in the uk not fit for purpose which needs upgrading to help those affected. Each person reacts diffrently to vaccines and after injury certainly do not need more promotional information but need duty of care and vaccine benefit injury help.
I have paid full national insurance and full taxes all these years and in my time of need let down.
Such serious injury is not reversible as in my case and i have permanent injury, lost my job, my nursing career of 32 1/2 years and my life and family affected as well and i face early death.
Angela Randall.
Spelling mistakes on word diagnosed, differently
Angela,
My heart goes out to you. This vaccine damage business is such an injustice. The UK seems even worse in the matter than in the US – at least there they have a vaccine damage reporting system, with possible injury compensation. In the UK I know that lawyer Clifford Miller has done excellent work in researching this matter (particularly in relation to ASD). Perhaps it would be helpful if you contacted him with your story, and records.
If it’s any consolation to you, progress IS being made in this area, especially with the large number of children who have been sent into the autism spectrum by their vaccines, and which phenomenon can no longer be ignored by the authorities. Please pass your story on to sources like JABS (Jackie Fletcher), where they can collect such information, to help mount the case against unsafe vaccines. And in the meantime, research natural approaches to treatment of myelin damage, like vitamin D. There IS hope.
So the CDC is trying to catch people young because it’s hard to get them to get vax as adults… and yet they also say that vaccinations wear off and we all need boosters as adults or we have no immunity. So… aren’t they essentially admitting that there really is no point in the Hep B for children?
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