JAMES WOODS
Contributing to the dialogue: H1N1 flu vaccine
Last year, the World Health Organization announced that a pandemic of the H1N1 flu was underway. Health officials urged everyone to get vaccinated. The vaccine that the Federal Drug Administration licensed has been criticized because the multi-dose vials contain thimerosal, a mercury-containing compound that is used as a preservative to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. It is also used during vaccine production to inactivate certain organisms and toxins and to maintain a sterile production line. EH News talked to Research Professor James Woods, a toxicologist, about thimerosal in vaccines.
Q: Why not use another preservative?
A: Thimerosal is very effective. It does not reduce the potency of the vaccines that it protects and does not decompose as other preservatives can.
Q: What is the concern about using thimerosal?
A: Mercury in any form is toxic to the brain, kidney, and other organs if given in high enough dosage and/or for prolonged periods. People are concerned about thimerosal in vaccines because children receive many inoculations during the first months of life, and before 2001, most of these vaccines contained thimerosal as a preservative.
Q: Has research shown a link between thimerosal and autism?
A: Research to date shows no significant association between thimerosal exposure and autism. However, it remains to be determined whether mercury exposure at a critical time of neurological development might increase the risk of developing autism or other developmental disorders in genetically susceptible children.
Q: Should parents avoid having their children vaccinated from multi-dose vials?
A: No. The health risks of not being vaccinated for H1N1 or other infectious diseases greatly outweigh any risks that might possibly be associated with vaccines themselves.