Trevor James
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials of medicines and vaccines. It contains ethylmercury, which is cleared from the human body more quickly than methylmercury and is therefore less likely to be harmful. Thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines in the United States in 2001, and there is no evidence that it contributes to the development of autism or autism spectrum disorder. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines have never contained thimerosal. However, before 1999, thimerosal was present in over 30 vaccines licensed and marketed in the United States, including some vaccines administered to infants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does the MMR vaccine contain thimerosal? | No, MMR vaccines have never contained thimerosal. |
| What is thimerosal? | Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials of medicines and vaccines. |
| Why is thimerosal used? | Thimerosal contains ethylmercury, which is cleared from the human body more quickly than methylmercury, and is therefore less likely to cause harm. Thimerosal is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose (multi-dose vials) to prevent the growth of germs, like bacteria and fungi. |
| Has thimerosal been removed from vaccines? | The use of thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines has declined due to the reformulation and development of vaccines supplied in single-dose presentations. Thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines in the United States in 2001. |
| Is thimerosal harmful? | There is no evidence that thimerosal causes harm, except for minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site. Studies have concluded that thimerosal does not contribute to the development of autism or autism spectrum disorder. |
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What You'll Learn
- Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative used in multi-dose vials of medicines and vaccines
- Thimerosal was never used in the MMR vaccine
- Thimerosal has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, ADHD, and speech or language delay
- Thimerosal has been largely removed from vaccines due to the development of single-dose presentations
- Thimerosal has been used in vaccines for decades and is considered safe and effective
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative used in multi-dose vials of medicines and vaccines
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in multi-dose vials of medicines and vaccines. It is added to vials of vaccines that contain more than one dose to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. Contamination by these germs can cause severe local reactions, serious illnesses, or even death.
Thimerosal is an organic compound that contains ethylmercury, a type of mercury that is cleared from the human body more quickly than methylmercury and is, therefore, less likely to cause harm. When thimerosal enters the body, it breaks down into ethylmercury and thiosalicylate, which are easily eliminated. While mercury can be toxic to the brain and central nervous system at high concentrations, thimerosal has been shown to be safe and effective at preventing bacterial and fungal contamination of vaccines, with no ill effects other than minor local reactions such as redness and swelling at the injection site.
In the United States, thimerosal was present in over 30 vaccines licensed and marketed before 1999, including some vaccines administered to infants for protection against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. However, it is important to note that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has never contained thimerosal.
Over the years, there have been concerns about a possible link between thimerosal in vaccines and the development of autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. However, numerous well-conducted studies have found no evidence to support this association. These studies have shown that even after thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines, autism rates continued to rise, which contradicts the hypothesis that thimerosal causes autism.
Today, the use of thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines has significantly declined due to the development of single-dose vaccine presentations that do not require preservatives. All vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger in the U.S. are now available without thimerosal, except for some formulations of the inactivated influenza vaccine.
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Thimerosal was never used in the MMR vaccine
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials of medicines and vaccines. It is added to vials of vaccines that contain more than one dose to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
However, Thimerosal was never used in the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Vaccines for these three conditions, whether in combination or alone, have never contained thimerosal. In addition, varicella (chickenpox), inactivated polio (IPV), and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have also never contained thimerosal.
Thimerosal was taken out of childhood vaccines in the United States in 2001. Since then, all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger are thimerosal-free, except for some formulations of inactivated influenza vaccine.
There is no evidence that thimerosal in vaccines causes harm, except for minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site. Research does not show any link between thimerosal in vaccines and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Many well-conducted studies have concluded that thimerosal in vaccines does not contribute to the development of autism. Even after thimerosal was removed from almost all childhood vaccines, autism rates continued to increase, which is the opposite of what would be expected if thimerosal caused autism.
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Thimerosal has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, ADHD, and speech or language delay
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials of medicines and vaccines. It is added to vials of vaccines that contain more than one dose to prevent the growth of germs, such as bacteria and fungi, which can cause severe local reactions, serious illness, or even death.
Thimerosal has been the subject of numerous studies, and while it has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, ADHD, and speech or language delay, the evidence is inconclusive. The Immunization Safety Review Committee examined the hypothesized causal relationship between exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Thimerosal, an organic mercury compound, has been used as a preservative in some vaccines since the 1930s. It is metabolized to ethylmercury and thiosalicylate. At high doses, mercury and mercuric compounds, including thimerosal, are known neurotoxicants. However, the data on the toxicity of low doses of thimerosal and ethylmercury are limited, and only delayed hypersensitivity reactions have been observed.
Several studies have found no association between thimerosal exposure and neuropsychological delays. A 2010 study by the CDC showed that prenatal and infant exposure to vaccines and immunoglobulins containing thimerosal did not increase the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Similarly, an Italian study found that immunization in infancy with thimerosal-containing vaccines did not negatively impact neuropsychological performance later in childhood. Another CDC study on children between the ages of 7 and 10 years old supported these findings, concluding that early exposure to thimerosal in vaccines was not associated with neuropsychological problems.
It is important to note that the use of thimerosal in vaccines has significantly declined due to the development of single-dose vaccines that do not require preservatives. All vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger in the US are available without thimerosal, and thimerosal-free versions are also available for adolescents and adults.
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Thimerosal has been largely removed from vaccines due to the development of single-dose presentations
Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials of medicines and vaccines. It is added to vials of vaccines containing more than one dose to prevent the growth of harmful microbes inadvertently introduced into the vaccine during use. It has been used since the 1930s and has a long record of safe and effective use, with no ill effects other than minor local reactions at the injection site, such as redness and swelling.
However, in 1999, concerns were raised about the potential link between thimerosal and neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically autism, ADHD, and speech or language delay. As a precautionary measure, it was agreed that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated from vaccines. This decision was made by Public Health Service agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers. Subsequently, the use of thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines has significantly declined.
The decline in thimerosal use is largely due to the development of vaccines supplied in single-dose presentations, which do not require preservatives. All vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger in the U.S. are available in formulations that do not contain thimerosal. Additionally, vaccines for adolescents and adults are also available without thimerosal.
It is important to note that research has not found any link between thimerosal in vaccines and autism. Autism rates continued to increase even after thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines. Furthermore, studies have shown no association between thimerosal exposure and neuropsychological delays or problems.
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Thimerosal has been used in vaccines for decades and is considered safe and effective
Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials of medicines and vaccines. It is added to vials of vaccines to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, which can enter a vaccine when a syringe needle pierces the vial during administration. Contamination by these germs can cause severe local reactions, serious illness, or even death.
Thimerosal has been used since the 1930s and has a long record of safe and effective use. It meets the requirements for a preservative as set forth by the United States Pharmacopeia, effectively clearing a broad spectrum of pathogens. Prior to its introduction, data from studies on animals and humans provided evidence for its safety and effectiveness as a preservative.
The use of thimerosal in vaccines has been the subject of numerous studies, with a robust body of peer-reviewed scientific studies supporting its safety. There is no evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines, except for minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site. Research does not show any link between thimerosal and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Many well-conducted studies have concluded that thimerosal does not contribute to the development of autism, with autism rates continuing to increase even after its removal from childhood vaccines.
It is important to note that the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine has never contained thimerosal.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the MMR vaccine has never contained thimerosal.
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials of vaccines and medicines. It contains ethylmercury, which is cleared from the human body more quickly than methylmercury and is therefore less likely to cause harm.
Thimerosal is added to vials of vaccines that contain more than one dose to prevent the growth of germs like bacteria and fungi. It has been used since the 1930s and has a long record of safe and effective use.
