Thimerosal In Mmr Vaccines: Is It Still There?

Thimerosal, a preservative containing ethylmercury, has been a topic of concern for many people who worry about its presence in vaccines. Thimerosal was present in over 30 vaccines licensed in the United States until 1999, including some infant vaccines. However, live viral vaccines such as MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) have never contained thimerosal. While some people worry that thimerosal could cause mercury poisoning or harm to unborn children, studies have shown that thimerosal in vaccines is not harmful. Ethylmercury, the type of mercury found in thimerosal, is processed and excreted from the body much faster than methylmercury, which is the type of mercury found in the environment and can be toxic at high levels. Research has also found no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and the development of autism or other neurological problems. Today, vaccines recommended for children 6 years of age and younger are thimerosal-free, except for some influenza vaccines.

Explore related products

De La Cruz Merthiolate Tincture Antiseptic - First Aid for Minor Cuts, Scrapes and Burns - Mercury-Free Formula Safe for The Entire Family (3 Bottles)

$12.98 $15.98

Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak: The Evidence Supporting the Immediate Removal of Mercury―a Known Neurotoxin―from Vaccines

$19.19 $14.95

Germa Mercuro-chrome Mercury Free First Aid Antiseptic Liquid 1 oz

$7.28

Betadine Antiseptic First Aid Solution, Povidone-iodine 10%, Infection Protection, Kills Germs In Minor Cuts Scrapes And Burns, No Sting Promise, No Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide, 8 FL OZ

$13.29 $17.38

Germa Merthiolate Tincture Antiseptic 1 oz

$7.53 $7.99

Thimerosal : Let the Science Speak: The Evidence Supporting the Immediate Removal of Mercury--A Known Neurotoxin--From Vaccines (Paperback - Revised Ed.)--by Robert F. Jr. Kennedy [2015 Edition]

$45.18

Thimerosal is a preservative that contains ethylmercury

Thimerosal is a preservative that was first added to the manufacturing of vaccines in the 1930s. It is a highly effective antiseptic that can prevent the introduction of harmful fungi or bacteria. By weight, about 50% of thimerosal is ethylmercury, a compound that contains mercury.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in the Earth's crust, air, soil, and water. It is released into the environment through volcanic eruptions, weathering of rocks, and the burning of coal. While mercury is known to be toxic to the brain, it is important to understand that there are multiple forms of mercury with varying levels of toxicity. Ethylmercury, the type of mercury found in thimerosal, is processed differently in the human body compared to other forms of mercury, such as methylmercury.

Ethylmercury is eliminated from the body much faster than methylmercury, making it less likely to accumulate and cause harm. Studies have shown that thimerosal does not increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders or any other health concerns. Additionally, the amount of thymerosal used in vaccines is very small and carefully tested during safety studies, ensuring that it is safe and effective.

Thimerosal is added to multi-dose vials of vaccines to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, which can occur when a syringe needle enters a vial during vaccine preparation. Contamination by these germs can lead to severe local reactions, serious illnesses, or even death. While there were initial concerns about the potential risks of thimerosal, particularly in childhood vaccines, it has been removed from most vaccines, except for some influenza vaccines.

Explore related products

By Author Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak: The Evidence Supporting the Immediate Removal of Mercuryƒ??a Know

$69.68

Thimerosal and Vaccine Policy in the United States: CDC Policy, Scientific Controversies, and the Future of Public Health Immunization Standards

$6.99 $15.99

Immunization Safety Review: Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

$35.99

Forbidden Facts: Government Deceit & Suppression About Brain Damage from Childhood Vaccines

$5 $32.99

Thimerosal has been removed from most vaccines since 1999

Thimerosal is a preservative that contains ethylmercury, a type of mercury that is different from the methylmercury found in the environment. Methylmercury is known to be toxic to humans at high levels. However, ethylmercury is processed and excreted from the body much faster than methylmercury, making it much less likely to accumulate and cause harm.

Thimerosal was previously used in over 30 vaccines licensed and marketed in the United States, including some vaccines administered to infants for protection against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and hepatitis B. However, concerns arose about the potential risks associated with ethylmercury exposure from thimerosal-containing vaccines. As a result, efforts have been made to remove thimerosal from vaccines.

Since 1999, thimerosal has been removed from most vaccines, and it is no longer present in vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger, except for some formulations of inactivated influenza vaccines. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and live viral vaccines, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), varicella, and oral polio vaccine (OPV), have never contained thimerosal.

While some previously produced lots of vaccines that contain thimerosal may still be available, the current vaccines on the recommended immunization schedule for children 6 years of age and younger contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts (<0.5 µg Hg per dose) left over from the manufacturing process.

Numerous studies have been conducted to examine the potential link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, these studies have found no convincing evidence of a causal relationship between thimerosal exposure and an increased risk of ASD or other neurologic problems in children.

MMR vaccines have never contained thimerosal

Thimerosal has been used safely in vaccines for many years, and research has shown no evidence that it causes harm. Until 1999, thimerosal was present in over 30 vaccines licensed and marketed in the United States, including some vaccines administered to infants such as the diphtheria-tetanus-whole-cell pertussis (DTP) vaccine and the hepatitis B vaccine. However, the live viral vaccines such as MMR, varicella, and oral polio vaccine (OPV) have never contained thimerosal.

Some people have expressed concerns that thimerosal could cause mercury poisoning in children or affect unborn children whose mothers received the vaccine. However, studies have shown no relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and the development of autism or other neurological problems in children. In fact, one study found that the prevalence of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) was significantly higher in thimerosal-free birth cohorts compared to thimerosal-exposed cohorts, and no relationship was found between PDD rates and exposure to one or two doses of MMR before the age of two.

While thimerosal has been removed from most childhood vaccines in the United States, it is still used as a preservative in some vaccines given to adults and certain high-risk children, such as the influenza vaccine. However, even in these cases, the amount of ethylmercury present is very low and is not considered harmful.

There is no link between thimerosal and autism

Thimerosal is a preservative that has been used safely in vaccines for many years to prevent microbial growth and contamination. It is included in some influenza vaccines. While it is true that thimerosal contains mercury, ethylmercury (the type of mercury found in thimerosal) is broken down and removed from the body much faster than methylmercury, and is therefore unlikely to build up and cause harm.

Despite this, some people have suggested that thimerosal could be linked to autism. This hypothesis stems from the fact that there has been an increase in the recognition and diagnosis of autism in recent years, and thimerosal contains mercury, which can be toxic. However, multiple studies have found no evidence of a link between thimerosal and autism. For example, a study by Price CS et al. found no increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children exposed to thimerosal prenatally and in infancy. Another study found no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism in Denmark and Sweden, where thimerosal was removed from vaccines in 1992, but autism rates continued to increase.

In addition, the Immunization Safety Review Committee of the Institute of Medicine rejected the hypothesis of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism in 2004. Similarly, the FDA concluded in 2004 that the evidence did not support an association between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. Furthermore, the CDC has stated that results from several studies examining trends in vaccine use and changes in autism frequency do not support an association between thimerosal and autism.

While the controversy surrounding thimerosal and autism continues, it is important to emphasize that the scientific evidence does not support a link between the two.

Ethylmercury is broken down and removed from the body faster than methylmercury

Thimerosal, a preservative in some vaccines, contains ethylmercury. This form of mercury is different from methylmercury, which is found in the environment. While mercury can be toxic to human health, the form found in vaccines is not harmful. This is because ethylmercury is broken down and removed from the body much faster than methylmercury.

Ethylmercury is a type of organometallic cation composed of an organic CH3CH2— species (an ethyl group) bound to a mercury(II) centre, giving it the chemical formula C2H5Hg+. It is most commonly encountered in the body as derivatives with a thiolate attached to the mercury. Methylmercury, on the other hand, is created when bacteria in the environment convert inorganic mercury into methylmercury. This process is known as methylation. Methylmercury then bioaccumulates in fish, animals, and humans, leading to potential toxic effects if consumed in high levels.

The rapid excretion of ethylmercury from the body means it is less likely to accumulate and cause harm. Studies have shown that ethylmercury is eliminated from the body and the brain significantly faster than methylmercury. This is important because it means that ethylmercury is less likely to cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the central nervous system. While mercury can be toxic to the brain and nervous system, the form and amount found in vaccines are not harmful.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has closely monitored the scientific evidence relating to the use of thimerosal as a vaccine preservative for over 20 years. Their conclusion is consistent: there is no evidence that the amount of thimerosal used in vaccines poses a health risk. Additionally, research has shown no link between early exposure to thimerosal and an increased risk of autism or other neuropsychological deficits in children.

In summary, ethylmercury is broken down and removed from the body faster than methylmercury due to its chemical structure and the way it is processed by the body. This makes it less likely to accumulate and cause harm. Thimerosal, which contains ethylmercury, has been used safely in vaccines for many years, and research supports its continued use as a preservative.

Frequently asked questions