Away from that topic, Nevison gave a presentation downplaying the transmission of hepatitis B and the benefits of vaccines. He falsely claimed that the dramatic decline in hepatitis B infections following vaccination efforts was not actually due to vaccination efforts – despite irrefutable evidence that it had occurred. And he then used his own unconfirmed modeling to claim that CDC scientists underestimate the risk of transmission. He concluded by presenting some studies showing a decline in blood antibody levels after initial vaccination, claiming that the hepatitis B vaccine does not provide lifelong protection, which is a false conclusion based on his lack of expertise.
The authors of one study were present at today’s meeting. Pediatrician Amy Middleman, an ACIP liaison representing the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) and a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, was the first author of a major study referenced by Nevison. The middleman quickly said that Nevison had completely misunderstood the study, which actually showed that cell-based immune protection from the vaccine provides strong lifelong protection even after the initial antibody levels decline (called an anamnestic response).
“This is where really experienced understanding of vaccination comes in,” the middleman said. “The whole point of our study is that for most vaccines, the anamnestic response is really their superpower. So this study showed that memory cells exist such that when they see something that looks like hepatitis B disease, they actually attack. The presence of a strong and anamnestic response, regardless of circulating antibodies years later, shows true protection.”
The next presentation was from Mark Blaxill, an anti-vaccine activist installed at the CDC in September. Despite having no background in medicine or science, Blaxill gave a presentation on hepatitis B vaccine safety. He previously worked as an executive for a technology investment firm and, like Nevison, also worked for Safe Minds, where he was vice president. Blaxill has written books and numerous articles falsely claiming that vaccines cause a variety of harms to children. In 2004, when an Institute of Medicine analysis concluded that there were no solid links between vaccines and autism, Blaxill publicly protested the results.
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