NEWS RELEASE
Multiple Sclerosis Risk to British Babies – Newly Revealed By Previously Concealed Evidence
London, England & Versailles, France 27 September 2005/Romeike/
Strong scientific evidence confirms British infants will be exposed to an unacceptably high risk of complications, including multiple sclerosis, if the British Medical Association’s (BMA’s) recent universal infant hepatitis B vaccine recommendation goes ahead. Whilst other evidence is embargoed, Dr. Marc Girard, a specialist in the side effects of drugs and commissioned as a medical expert by French courts, has been able to publish a scientific review of the unembargoed evidence of the vaccine’s hazards (Autoimmun Rev 2005; 4:96-100). Dr Girard shows that French health authorities suppress studies demonstrating serious risks. France was the first country to implementuniversal hepatitis B vaccination in 1994.
Legal and ethical concerns also arise over the BMA’s recommendation because those at high risk from the hepatitis B virus are not infants but promiscuous adults engaging in unsafe sex and intravenous drug abusers. There is no clear individual clinical benefit of universal hepatitis B vaccination. The duration of any protective effect is uncertain whereas the vaccination carries with it risks of numerous chronic auto-immune disorders, including Guillain-Barre syndrome, lupus, rheumatism, blood disorders and chronic fatigue. In contrast, the BMA’s 10th May 2005 press release stated children were at risk of hepatitis B infection from:
- biting and shared toys
- shared toothbrushes and razors
- mother to child transmission during birth
Dr Girard said:
“The BMA’s recommendation is a surprising and unexpected change of heart given the scathing public scepticism in the British Medical Journal in 1996 to a pharmaceutical company promotion advocating universal infant hepatitis B vaccination (BMJ 1996; 313: 825). It is all the more surprising because whilst the risk factors for babies have changed little, there is now impressive evidence that for a preventive measure, hepatitis B vaccine is remarkable for the frequency, variety and severity of complications from its use. The toxicity of this vaccine is so unusual that, even if crucial data are regrettably concealed or covered by Court order, scientific evidence is already far higher than normally needed to justify severe restrictive measures.”
In addition, just days ago (20 Sept, 2005) the European Medicines Agency EMEA) announced the withdrawal of hepatitis B containing Hexavac vaccine, claiming concerns over efficacy. Hexavac had 4 months earlier been associated with sudden infant deaths (Zinka et al. Vaccine 2005 May 18). Hexavac combines hepatitis B vaccine virus with other routine vaccine components. The EMEA’s reasons for withdrawal are questionable. Efficacy trials are normally performed before vaccines are licensed.
Other research supporting Dr Girard’s findings includes research on UK data showing a 3.1 increase in the relative risk of multiple sclerosis after hepatitis B vaccination Neurology 2004; 63:838-42).
Clifford Miller, British lawyer, graduate physicist, co-author of a recent peer reviewed critique of flawed medical evidential practice and former university lecturer said:-
“British Doctors administering hepatitis B vaccine to infants could face criminal prosecution if fully informed consent is not obtained.Civil prosecution for damages is possible over 21 years later if the injured survive as adults.”
“English and European law requires the application of the precautionary principle. With such strong scientific evidence of harm it is unclear why the BMA’s recommendation was made, nor why universal infant hepatitis B vaccination is reportedly being considered by the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.”
“This is not the first time the BMA has executed a spectacular `U’ turn. Up to 1987 they consistently recommended against mumps vaccination. In 1988 that conflicted with new government policy and the objection was quietly dropped. The BMA’s links with the pharmaceutical industry are also a concern. The next government proposal in the pipeline is to vaccinate against chickenpox, the mildest known of all routine childhood diseases and for which the UK Department of Health has ready prepared stories claiming it is a killer.”
“The British public should be concerned their children’s safety rests with independent researchers from overseas who can face harassment, obstruction and official vilification for their work.”
In his new paper now in press and available on line (Med Hypotheses, doi 10.1016/j.mehy.2005.08.012), Dr Girard and co-author Y. Comenge review the various mechanisms likely to account for the biological plausibility of auto-immune disorders such as demyelinating diseases and other hazards of this vaccine.
Because of the significance and scope of these observations and related cross- correlations, Dr. Girard suggests that even in high-endemic countries, the risk/benefit ratio of this unusually toxic vaccine must be carefully re-assessed. Regarding the health situation in the UK, the conclusion not to vaccinate is obvious.
INFORMATION FOR EDITORS:
About Dr Marc Girard
Pharmaceutical Industry Consultant: Glaxo, Aventis & others
Court Appointed Expert: Includes Bayer/Baycol cholesterol drug litigation
Medical Doctor: Qualified 1983, trained: Hopital des Enfants Malades, Paris, France
Masters in Mathematics 1976: Universite d’Orsay, Paris, France
References Used in Press Release
- “Multiple sclerosis and hepatitis B vaccination: Adding the credibility of molecular biology to an unusual level of clinical and epidemiological evidence” Comenge Y; Girard M (Med Hypotheses, doi 10.1016/j.mehy.2005.08.012) (Text available in electronic form on request.)
- “Autoimmune hazards of hepatitis B vaccine” Girard M (Autoimmun Rev 2005; 4:96-100) (Text available in electronic form on request.)
- “BMA calls for universal childhood vaccination against hepatitis B” Press Release (10 May 2005)
- “Medicine and the media: Shire Hall Communications and the case for hepatitis B immunisation” BMJ 1996;313:825 (28 September 1996)
- “European Medicines Agency recommends suspension of Hexavac” Press Release – 20th September 2005
- “Unexplained cases of sudden infant death shortly after hexavalent vaccination” Zinka B, Rauch E, Buettner A, Rueff F, Penning R. – Vaccine. 2005 May 18
- “Recombinant hepatitis B vaccine and the risk of multiple sclerosis – A prospective study” Hernan MA, Jick SS, Olek MJ, Jick H (Neurology 2004; 63:838-42).
- “Flawed Evidence Denies Drug Victims Justice” – Press Release, Romeike/PA
- “On Evidence, Medical and Legal” Dr D W Miller, Clifford Miller: – 10; 03- 70. J Am Phys Surg
Contact information
Dr. Marc Girard
Address: 1 bd de la Republique 78000-Versailles (France)
Mobile phone: 00 33 6 82 94 54 62
E-Mail: agosgirard@free.fr
Telephone: 00 331 39670110
Fax : 00 331 396700111
Mr. Clifford G. Miller
Address: Burnhill Business Centre,
50 Burnhill Road,
Beckenham,
Kent BR3 3LA (UK)
Mobile: 00 44 7941-976021
E-Mail: mediapr@cliffordmiller.com
Telephone: 00 44 208 663 0044
Fax: 00 44 208 663 0011
Further Reading:
Dr. Marc Girard’s work on Hepatitis B published in Medical Hypothesis http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/girardhepbvax.pdf
