Monday, October 5, 2009
Potential Issues
Thimerosal is a preservitive agent used in some vaccines to prevent contamination of multidose vials. Thimerosal contains approximately 49% ethylmercury. Thimerosal does not alter the effectiveness of a vaccine and has been present within some vaccines since the 1930s. While some studies have shown that there are no concerning adverse effects related to the small amount of mercury present in these vaccines, public concern about the neurotoxic effects of mercury has encouraged some organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Commission on Immunization Practices, to recommend the reduction or complete removal of thimerosal from these vaccines. After 10 years of reducing mercury levels in routine childhood vaccines, thimerosal still remains in several non-routine childhood vaccines and many influenza vaccines. There is no law to prohibit the re-introduction of thimerosal into vaccines where it has previously been removed. Potential issues for this bill include financial feasability and availability. Is it possible to produce enough thimerosal-free vaccines before the effective date of July 1, 2009 in order to ensure children recieve their recommended immunizations on time? How will removing thimerosal from vaccines affect the consumer? Will more people recieve the recommended immunizations because of this added sense of security? Is removing thimerosal from vaccines finacially and chemically possible? Is removing thimerosal from vaccines even necessary?
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-Posted by "Nurses For Stem Cell Research"
ReplyDeleteI can understand why they are pushing to remove mercury from vaccines, should it be linked to a "possible" cause of autism among children. But I have two questions to pose towards the need for this bill:
Seeing that mercury is contained in the preservative that they are using in the vaccinations, is there any other type of preservative that could be used to replace the one currently being used? And if so, is it compatible with all vaccines or would it cause potential reactions that never occurred in the previous vaccines [either occurring in a manner to alter the vaccine's effectiveness or causing adverse reactions in the human body]?
The second question I would like to pose is, you mentioned it's link to autism in children, but is it linked to any negative side affects in adults?....or are you just advocating its removal in childhood vaccines only?
You have asked some very valid questions! First, to address your first question, the majority of recommended childhood vaccines currently in use today no longer contain the mercury-containing preservative. (Flu shots are an exception). This decision was made in 1999, based on the recommendation of Public Health Service agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers. The passage of this legislation would just ensure that this decision remains permanent. Therefore, there are other preservatives available, it is finacially and chemically feasible, and these preservatives do not alter vaccine effectivness.
ReplyDeleteTo address your second question, there have been a couple of studies that have addressed adult exposure to mercury from vaccines, the majority of which have shown little to no adverse affects. This is actually a concern for some because there are not that many studies that directly research the effects of various doses of mercury on children, due to obvious ethical dilemmas. This legislation addresses recommended childhood vaccines and flu vaccines, so the population we are most concerned about is children. Because people receive most of their recommended vaccines during their childhood years, they are exposed to higher doses of mercury from vaccines within a shorter period of time than adults. Children are also more susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of mercury compared to adults.
Hope this anwsers your questions! Thanks for visiting our blog!