Hep B vaccine challenge launched

The virus can be passed on through blood to blood contact

A group of patients are planning legal action claiming they suffered side effects after being vaccinated against Hepatitis B.

Around 50 patients are now planning legal action, claiming they became ill after being vaccinated.

Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver condition and is thought to be the leading cause of liver cancer.

The virus can be transmitted through direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex, and illicit drug use.

Arthritis is one of the very rare stated associated side effects of the vaccine.

'It changed my life'

Steve Harrison, who used to be a keen footballer, can now hardly walk.

The majority of them were not informed of the likelihood of these serious side effects which they've suffered as a result of the vaccine Mervyn Fudge, solicitor

Within 10 days of having the Hepatitis B vaccination, his health deteriorated and he was later diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis.

He told the BBC: "I never had anything wrong with me until I had this injection.

"Within 10 days, it had changed my life. And now I get up in the morning and I have to take pills. In the afternoon I have to take pills, and every two weeks I have to inject myself."

A doctor certifying Mr Harrison for disability benefit said his condition is an adverse reaction to the jab.

Mervyn Fudge, the solicitor representing the group, said: "The majority of them were not informed of the likelihood of these serious side effects which they've suffered as a result of the vaccine.

"We believe that the illnesses they are now suffering from are a direct result of being given the vaccine."

Aventis Pasteur said it could not comment on Mr Harrison's case because he was planning legal action.

But they said studies had not demonstrated any link between the vaccine and the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, and that it is used across the world.

File On 4: BBC Radio 4, Tuesday 28 October 2003 at 2000 GMT and Sunday 2 November at 1700 GMT.