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Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 February 2005, 21:08 GMT
Health claim over hepatitis jab
Steve Harrison
Steve Harrison had the jab while working as a binman in Brighton
A binman from Brighton and a Kent care worker have claimed a vaccine given to them for protection against hepatitis B has made them ill.

Binman Steven Harrison was given the jab after a drug user's needle pierced him while at work and says 10 days later he was racked with pain.

Care worker Vera Coombs says she suffers from arthritis after the jab.

Drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline said the drug was safe and it had the "utmost confidence" in the vaccine.

Until I had the injection I was perfectly alright but within 10 days of having the injection I was swelling up
Steve Harrison

Steve Harrison: "I was a happy go lucky person - I used to run a football team and me and my wife used to go dancing a lot.

"But now, since I have had this injection I am like an old man.

"I am in pain 24/7 - I do not feel like doing as much as I used to and it has ruined my life completely.

"Until I had the injection I was perfectly alright but within 10 days of having the injection I was swelling up.

Ms Coombs, from Tunbridge Wells, had the injection two years ago and has now had to quit her work as a care worker.

Medical experts

She said: "It needs to go back to the drawing board and have a complete breakdown of what is in the vaccination that is causing all these side affects."

The World Health Organisation has backed the vaccination and called it "very safe".

In a statement, GlaxoSmithKline said: "We have the utmost confidence in the vaccine.

"Medical experts have provided independent validation on the safety of the vaccine."

Another drugs manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur said: "The vaccine is widely used around the world and has proved to be safe."

The Department of Health is conducting a review into the drug.


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