Statement on study alleging association between hepatitis B vaccine and multiple sclerosis
WHO is aware of media reports concerning a study led by Professor Marc Tardieu alleging an association between vaccination with one particular hepatitis B vaccine and multiple sclerosis. The reports describe a study not yet published, that is due to appear in a peer-reviewed journal in October this year.
The group of experts advising WHO on vaccine safety issues of potential global importance, the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), has reviewed alleged associations between hepatitis B vaccines and multiple sclerosis on several occasions. To date, no conclusive evidence has been found to suggest that any of the currently available hepatitis B vaccines are associated with the occurrence of multiple sclerosis, or indeed present any other significant health risks. As soon as the study from Professor Tardieu's group has been published, the GACVS will review the evidence presented and implications for the use of hepatitis B vaccines.