Fact or Fiction?
Thimerosal
FACT: Thimerosal in vaccines is not harmful.
What is thimerosal?
Thimerosal is a preservative used in multi-dose vaccine vials to prevent the growth of bacteria. Contamination in a vaccine vial could cause serious illness or death. Thimerosal contains ethylmercury. Ethylmercury is different from methylmercury, the type of mercury found in the environment. When we eat certain fish and seafood, methylmercury can accumulate in the body. Eating too much of these fish can cause toxic levels of methylmercury. The tiny amount of ethylmercury in a vaccine is broken down and excreted by our bodies in less than one week. This is much quicker than methylmercury which can stay in the body for over a month.
Most vaccines do not contain thimerosal.
Since 2001, all vaccines routinely recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for children under 6 years old are thimerosal-free, or contain only trace amounts. The exception is some formulations of influenza vaccine. You can also ask for a thimerosal-free influenza vaccine.
Thimerosal in vaccines is safe and does not cause autism.
Thimerosal does not cause autism. Studies show that vaccines containing thimerosal do not cause harm to humans. Redness and swelling after vaccination are actually good signs. They indicate the body is creating an immune response.
Many trustworthy groups have reviewed the published research on thimerosal and found it to be safe to use in vaccines. These include 3 leading federal agencies: the CDC, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Institutes of Health and 3 independent organizations: The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
In 2009, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims reviewed thousands of pieces of evidence and expert testimony. They found that the MMR vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines do not cause autism. Then, in March 2010, three judges ruled in three separate cases that thimerosal does not cause autism. Also in September 2010, the CDC and the AAP published a study adding to the evidence that there is no link. The study found that prenatal and infant exposure to thimerosal in vaccines does not increase the risk of autism.
Even though numerous studies conclude the safety of thimerosal, in July 1999 experts agreed that thimerosal in vaccines should be reduced or eliminated. This was not done out of any fear of thimerosal in vaccines. This was part of a general push to remove mercury from all products. Again, the tiny amount of thimerosal in vaccines is quickly broken down and removed by the body.
Thimerosal is safe when used in vaccines, and there is no link between it and autism.