Vaccine ‘Quietly’ Pulled Off Market in 2007 Now Linked to 19 Diseases — 35 Million Babies Who Got the Shot Now at Risk as Adults

A study published in the International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine has uncovered alarming findings about a pediatric vaccine that was quietly pulled from the market in 2007. The thimerosal-free HibTITER vaccine, marketed by Wyeth (now Pfizer) from 2003 to 2007, has been linked to 19 different medical conditions, including life-threatening side effects.

The study, conducted by researchers from Children’s Health Defense, compared adverse events in children who received the HibTITER vaccine to those who received other Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccines. Using data from the Florida Medicaid database and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), the researchers identified 19 adverse outcomes that occurred at significantly higher rates among HibTITER recipients.

These conditions ranged from mild to severe, including respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal problems, skin conditions, and various infections. Disturbingly, the serious or even life-threatening adverse events were not listed as possible side effects on the HibTITER package insert.

“While we had heard anecdotally of many adverse reactions to the HibTITER vaccine, we were stunned at what the data revealed,” said lead researcher Karl Jablonowski, Ph.D. “This vaccine should have been studied much more intensively before being allowed on the market. In fact, it shouldn’t have ever been allowed to be injected into infants in the absence of rigorous studies to support its safety.”

The researchers estimate that approximately 35 million Americans between the ages of 16 and 33 received the HibTITER vaccine during its time on the market, putting them at risk for these various medical conditions as adults.

The decision by Wyeth/Pfizer to quietly remove the HibTITER vaccine from the market in 2007 is particularly concerning in light of these findings. The lack of transparency and oversight surrounding this vaccine raises serious questions about the processes in place to ensure the safety of childhood immunizations.

This study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, independent safety reviews of all vaccines before and after they are approved for use. The health of millions of individuals may be at stake, and the public deserves to have full access to information about the potential risks of the vaccines they are being asked to receive.