“Physicians and parents should be reassured that continuing to vaccinate infants, within the flexibility of today ~ schedule, is the best way to protect infants from devastating childhood diseases... The risk of devastating childhood diseases from failure to vaccinate far outweighs the minimal, if any, risk of exposure to cumulative levels of mercury in vaccines. The choice to vaccinate infants with these vaccines is a sound one.”
-David Satcher, MD, PhD, US. Surgeon General
What is thimerosal?
Thimerosal is a preservative that has been used in vaccines since the 1930’s. It is very effective in preventing bacterial contamination, particularly in multi-dose vaccine containers.
What is the connection between thimerosal and mercury?
Methylmercury, in high doses, is known to be harmful. A different form of mercury -ethylmercury- is released when thimerosal is metabolized by the body. Ethylmercury is not known to have the harmful effects that methylmercury has; but just to be safe, experts have recommended that vaccines be made without thimerosal.
Why are some people concerned about thimerosal in vaccines?
In 1999, there were concerns that if a infant were to receive all the vaccines on the immunization schedule, that he/she could be exposed to levels exceeding federal guidelines on methylmercury (not ethylmercury). This led to the goal of removing thimerosal from vaccines routinely recommended for infants. (Each of the federal agency guidelines for mercury exposure has a generous safety margin. This means that the safety levels they specify are far lower than the amount of mercury that would actually pose a health risk.)
How are people exposed to mercury?
Everyone is exposed to some mercury from breathing contaminated air, ingesting contaminated water, eating contaminated fish or shellfish, and having dental and medical treatments. At high levels, mercury may damage the brain, kidneys, and in a pregnant women, a developing fetus.
What is the government doing to reduced people’s exposure to thimerosal?
The U.S. Public Health Service and the American Academy of Pediatrics have recommended reducing or eliminating the use of thimerosal-containing vaccines to ensure their safety. As of mid-2001, all routine, early childhood vaccines used in the United States are available without thimerosal, or with only trace amounts.
The Oregon Health Division will no longer purchase or distribute any thimerosal-containing pediatric vaccines necessary for school entry. There are two exceptions to this law: 1) If thimerosal is detectable only in trace amounts, or 2) If no other vaccine is commercially available in a form that does not contain thimerosal.
What about children that have already received vaccines containing thimerosal?
Other than in some children who are allergic to the preservative, there is no evidence of any harm caused by thimerosal in vaccines.
Does thimerosal cause autism?
There is no evidence at this time that any vaccine or vaccine additive, including thimerosal, causes autism or any other behavior disorder. Nonetheless, given the level of concern among parents and others regarding vaccines and autism, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is committed to investigating this issue to the fullest extent possible, using the best scientific methods available.
Where to find more information:
National Immunization Program
Center
for Disease Control
National Network
for Immunization Information
Immunization Action Coalition
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Medical Association
Autism
Society of America
National Alliance for Autism
Research
Visit our wedsite at http://www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/ccfh/imm
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