Safety of the Hepatitis B Vaccine

Abstract

To the Editor: Since the identification of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in sexually active homosexual men, questions have arisen regarding the possibility that an agent for AIDS may be transmissible through plasma-derived vaccines for hepatitis B virus. Epidemiologic data on vaccine recipients do not support this possibility. Nevertheless, as mentioned Jacobson et al. (Oct. 18 issue),¹ this concern has affected vaccine use by people who should be immunized.² Human T-cell lymphotropic virus III (HTLV-III) was recently isolated in a high proportion of cases of AIDS, and antibody to HTLV-III has been detected in nearly all cases, suggesting that HTLV-III . . .