Mercury in Children's Vaccines

Updated on November 09, 2006
J.M. asks from Haltom City, TX
9 answers

I have read a few websites talking about a preservative called 'Thimerosal' that is used in children's vaccines and contains mercury. Does anyone have any knowledge about this issue or any thoughts?

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So What Happened?

Thank you so very much for providing the website regarding mercury & vaccines. I'm sitting at my computer right now with my mouth hanging open and feeling totally flabergasted. I really had no idea that this was such a wide-spread issue. What's even more baffling to me is that I am studying to be in the field of Public Health! One the one hand, I absolutely understand the importance of getting vaccinated. On the other, I feel somehow betrayed.

I don't think I realized what a sensitive subject I touched on and I do appreciate the stories that people shared. I pray that you're finding the help and support you need.

Guess I have a lot to talk about with my doctor when I see him in two days!!! Thanks again.

More Answers

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V.M.

answers from Dallas on

We have a 4 1/2 year old autistic son... did mercury in the vaccines cause it? I don't know, but I now have very strong feelings about vaccinations regardless of the thimerasol issue.

In my opinion, many of the vaccinations are not neccesary. Chicken pox? We probably all had it and turned out fine. Polio? The odds of your child contracting this are very slim unless you travel internationally where it is still prevalent. In my pediatrician's office, there is a poster that gives the importance of vaccines and the statistics of how many cases of polio, mumps, measles, rubella, etc. there are in the US each year. To me, the VERY LOW (some almost non-existent) number of cases is not worth the chance of a "typical" child becoming a specials needs child.

Our oldest son has not received vaccines past two years old and we now have two other children who have only received the vaccines for meningitis. We lost a part of our first son to autism and I don't want to take that chance with my other two.

Vaccinations are a personal decision. All you can do it be educated and follow your heart!

V.

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R.N.

answers from Dallas on

I think whatever way you choose to look at the issue, you'll find "research" that supports it.

One thing to think about that hit me hard (someone else posted this on here recently) is how you're contributing to the vaccine system. If you choose not to vaccinate (which I am not criticizing), you may be working against the very point to getting kids in the country vaccinated-which is to eliminate certain diseases, many from the past of which are now eliminated because of vaccines.

Just another thing to think about (as if it wasn't hard enough to decide).
R.

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A.

answers from Dallas on

You have opened quite the can of worms with this one. It's a hot debate. Thankfully there is A LOT of information about it now. Thimerosol isn't the ONLY toxic substance in the vaccines. There are a host of other toxic preservatives in there. The choice is yours. Just educate yourself. I'll add some web sites at the bottom of my post for you to look at. My personal belief is that autism spectrum disorders are caused by a mixture of genetic predisoposition and the toxins injected in them so early while their little neurological systems are so immature. Take your time and do your research. You can vaccinate, I just wouldn't do it on the recommended schedule. Single dose vaccines w/out preservatives are available. They are not ALL necessary! One other note: I would not give Tylenol to alleviate pain or fever from a vaccine ever again. Tylenol depletes the bodies ability to produce glutathione which is essential in detoxifying the body. Getting a heavy dose of vaccines and then giving Tylenol is a one-two punch to a precious little develping body! ALWAYS trust your mommy instincts over what any "EXPERT" may tell you. Here are some links to check out:

909shot.com
amazon.com- get the book by Stephanie Cave "What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Vaccines" This book includes a safe vaccine schedule and supplements to give your child before vaccines to strengthen their bodies.
generationrescue.org

These will probably send you to many more links...

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

yes, vaccines do contain thimerosal. they used to have a lot more than they do now. you have to request vaccines without it. from personal experience: my son was perfect until he was 2 yo. talking, walking, doing everything on time. he got his 2 yo shots and shortly after, he stopped talking, started throwing horrible tantrums, was behind developmentally after that. at 4, they diagnosed him with adhd/odd and just recently diagnosed him with asperger's syndrome (a form of autism)...do i think the vaccines did it? yes, i do. is there anything i can do? no, there isnt. and why? because the government added a little clause about this issue in with the 9/11 homeland security bill that says: noone can sue the drug companies for their child getting adhd or autism due to vaccinations. am i bitter? yes, i am. will we get thru it? of course we will. i still love my son more than i thought possible. would i trade him for anything? heck, no.

so, just be careful. they did pass a law about thimerosal in vaccinations that lowered the amount drastically, however, they let all the doctors that already had the higher does vaccinations keep them and give them to kids...so, ask for the lower dosage vaccinations. good luck.

M.

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

Hi J.

They sure do. Visit www.generationrescue.org , check mercury poisoning there and you will see how much damage these vaccines are doing. Be very careful.

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J.B.

answers from Dallas on

I used to work at Children's Medical Center Dallas and had the responsibility of covering the infection control beat for their internal and external publications. We dealt with this issue all the time. Not to disrespect the moms of autistic children -- neither their personal experience nor the that autism does seem to be on the rise in recent years -- but vaccinations and in particular thimerosol don't seem to be the cause (and thimerosol is moot in this country anyway because it's not used anymore). For the best recent studies on this, search for any combination of words about vaccines and Denmark, where every child is followed basically from birth by their healthcare system and where they've been studying autism across their entire population for about 10 years. As far as sound research, it doesn't get much more exhaustive than what they've been doing.

Also because of working that beat, I'm not prepared to say my kid will never be exposed to the diseases vaccines prevent because I've seen the realities. Every year in North Texas we have a whooping cough (otherwise known as pertussis) epidemic among unvaccinated young kids. Also, North Texas had a measles epidemic as recently as the 1990s.

Anyway. There was never any question in my mind about it and my 23mo daughter has never missed a vaccination.

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L.S.

answers from Phoenix on

My understanding is that most childrens vaccines no longer contain this, but you'll want to check with your Dr to make sure. The flu vaccine is the one shot that stil contains this so you have to ask for one that is free of it. From what I've read, the data linking thimerisol and autism is tenuous at best and much has been discredited. HOwever, there are some children who have experienced reactions after vaccines so this is something to investigate.

I would say if autism or history of advers reactions to vaccines runs in your family or if your are concerned, you should talk to your Dr re the shots and possibly delaying or foregoing them. Personally, we have decided to vaccinate. My dh & I travel internationally where many of these diseases are still rampant. Our son has also travelled with us and will continue to do so. There is no history of autism either so we felt comfortable with our decision and have not experienced any issues with our 2 yr old son. The decision to vaccinate is yours and one you should investigate.

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T.O.

answers from Dallas on

J.,
I have an autistic son too, and I have mixed feelings about whether or not it was caused by thimerosal. However,it's not in MOST kid vaccines now. It's still in some, like the flu shot, which I don't even know what age they give that to kids, since mine are older. So maybe you don't need to worry at all.

My oppinion ... kids should get vaccines. Want to scare yourself into getting vaccines? Read about the eradication of small pox, and how the World Health Org really busted butt in getting everywhere in the world to knock it out. Chicken Pox? No big deal unless you're one of the ones that gets shingles years later. It's a huge pain.

P.S. Scary book to read... Demon in the Freezer (about small pox and other scary diseases that may or may not be gone).

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D.B.

answers from Dallas on

I really hate to get started on this issue, Oh how it makes me angry. If you read my profile. I have a 9 yr old Autistic son. When he was born in 97, he was healthy, and on time, no problems with delivery or anything. He was developing on time. He began to talk on time and do the baby things, like roll a ball, play pat-a-cake, etc,.....then.....we got his MMR shot at 17 mos. old. BUT. Just a few things, for one, 2 weeks later, he lost all his words and skills, 2- we joined a huge lawsuit against the manufacturer of the vaccine, 3- "thimerosal" is no longer in the vaccines. Hmmmm....makes ya wonder why all the sudden after all these years in the vaccine they take it out. ANyway, I can go on and on. The damage is done. I say, get knowledgeable. and GET VACCINATED!!!!!!!!!!!
You'd much rather risk having a disabled child ALIVE that having a child catch a deadly disease from no vaccine at all. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Good luck to you. D. B.

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