Thimerosal

A press release about Mercury in Thimerosal from the National Vaccine Information Center in July of 1999 press points out that, "The cumulative effects of ingesting mercury can cause brain damage." During this same month, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerted the public about the possible health effects associated with thimerosal-containing vaccines. These health-related organizations strongly recommended that thimerosal be removed from vaccines as soon as possible. Under the directive of the FDA Modernization Act of 1997, the Food and Drug Administration also determined that infants who received several thimerosal-containing vaccines may be receiving mercury exposure over and above the recommended federal guidelines.

JULY 20, 2005
Groups continue to argue possible thimerosal, autism link

Leaders of federal health agencies and medical societies called a press briefing yesterday to emphasize childhood vaccines are safe and do not cause autism. Parents of children with autism scheduled a rally in Washington to call for a ban on mercury in all medical products.
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JUNE 22, 2005
RFK Jr. says Thimerosal and autism link is clear

For years, the connection between thimerosal in vaccines and the development of autism has been argued. Studies continue to be presented in favor of whatever side of the fence being argued, but many people are still confused over what the official stance on the subject is.
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NOVEMBER 2003
Thimerosal Controversy Continues

The link between thimerosal and autism and other learning disabilities has continued to be argued for decades. Thimerosal is 49.6% ethylmercury and was widely used since the 1940s in over the counter drugs. After being banned in 1998 from over the counter drugs, thimerosal is still found in some vaccines. Mercury is the second most toxic substance known to man behind uranium.

While many doctors continue to claim thimerosal has been removed from vaccines given to children, a closer look would show otherwise. If following today’s government recommendations, a child has received more than 30 vaccinations, a dramatic increase from just over a decade ago. Vaccine makers were never ordered to remove thimerosal, rather encouraged. Read Full Article...

SEPTEMBER 2003
Safe Minds Advocacy Group Alleges Manipulated Study

There have been a high number of recent news articles claiming that a new report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in its Pediatrics journal clearing the thimerosal and autism link. According to Safe Minds Executive Director, “Our analysis of the research has uncovered so many questionable practices in the study that the authors’ conclusions clearing thimerosal are improbable,” (Safe Minds, 9/2/03).

There were discoveries of conflict of interest regarding study contributors, which Pediatrics did not disclose. Two of the authors of the study are employees of the Danish manufacturer of thimerosal vaccines. In addition, the journal receives significant advertising revenues from vaccine manufacturers. Read Full Article...

MAY 2003
Vaccines and Autism Link

Doctors, activists, and Rep. Dan Burton who has been proactively been trying to get more testing on vaccines performed to prevent any questionable links of dangerous effects including the link between thimerosal and autism, met in Chicago to discuss the thimerosal and autism and other brain problems in children link. According to some researchers, there is growing evidence to support the link between vaccines and the increasing rate of brain problems. The CDC has said that one in 300 American children may be suffering from autism , a number ten times higher than in the late 1980s.

Autism is on the rise and some are blaming thimerosal contained in vaccines -

In November 2002, a provision protecting drug company Eli Lilly & Co. from legal battles regarding their former thimerosal containing vaccines. Part of a growing controversy, thimerosal is believed by many to cause children to develop autism. Rep. Dan Burton chairs the committee investigating the role thimerosal-containing vaccines have to autism has been a key figure in pushing to educate the public about the problems vaccines have been said to have.

Burton believes many vaccines, including thimerosal, are not tested as well as they should be and is holding the FDA and Health And Human Services to being more committed in ensuring people are protected from dangers effects. Although health services maintain thimerosal is not harmful, scientists continue coming forward with the concern that the mercury contained in thimerosal is a toxic substance known to have a cumulative effect on the brain.

First Official Recognition of Thimerosal Dangers Made
-May 2003-

“The CDC’s failure to state a preference for thimerosal-free vaccines in 2000 and again in 2001 was an abdication of their responsibility. As a result, many children received vaccines containing thimerosal when thimerosal-free alternatives were available.”

-“Mercury in Medicine- Taking Unnecessary Risks”, a report prepared by the Staff of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness Committee on Government Reform United States House Representatives, May 2003. Read More about thimerosal lawsuits...