thimerisol free flu shots for kids?

[abelenkpe]

Does anyone know how to get one? I scheduled to get one for my son but when I arrived they had run out of the preservative free shots, which my doctor doesn't recommend for kids under three. I've called a few pharmacy's but they say they have them ordered but they will all go to doctors. We are on a waiting list, but our doc didn't sound positive. Is there any other way to get one? Please lemmeno. Thanks!

[trotsky]

1. This will probably launch a flame fest, but...

there is still no conclusive evidence linking thimerosal to developmental disorders like autism. Many scientists, even those with absolutely no financial ties to the vaccine or pharmaceutical industry, believe it is safe.

[abelenkpe]

3. yeah

but our doctor doesn't think it is wise to give such a small little guy any extra mercury under the age of three. I know there are lots of people who say it's safe, but there are so many shots out there now without thimerisol. So I'd prefer one without if possible.

There used to be plenty of doctors who thought leeches were a good idea too. I can't say whether or not thimerisol is OK being an artist and not a doctor. There is a huge portion of the population that wants thimerisol free shots so hopefully the pharmaceutical companies will recognize this and provide that that is desired to consumers.

But if it turns out we have to get a thimerisol flu shot for him or nothing at all, he's getting the shot. Thankfully all his other shots so far have been thimerisol free and he never eats fish so hopefully he's not getting any mercury in his system any other way.

Are there other sources of mercury in our environment?

[trotsky]

4. Sources of mercury

Yeah, the air and water. It's inescapable. Primarily due to the burning of coal, it's everywhere. Mercury as bound up in thimerosal is different and the body handles it differently than the type of mercury found in food and the environment. So while an overall campaign to cut back on mercury exposure is of course a good thing, refraining from vaccination solely because of that carries some significant risks.

[abelenkpe]

6. air and water?!

Gee, I was kinda hoping for a list of things I could control.

[trotsky]

7. Well, by minimizing the consumption of fish,

you're taking one of the best steps possible. Most of the fish we eat are high enough up the food chain that they've collected all the mercury from the smaller fish they've eaten, which collected it from smaller fish, and so on down to plants & algae. But yeah, it's everywhere, and we can only hope to minimize our exposure, not eliminate it.

[mzmolly]

8. "Not much is known about the effects of thimerosal exposure on humans ..."

There is no proof that ethyl mercury is more or less harmless then methyl mercury.

From the NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH US DEPT OF HHS.

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/thimerosal.htm

Since the 1930's, thimerosal has been added to some vaccines and other products because it is effective in killing bacteria and in preventing bacterial contamination, particularly in multi-dose containers. When thimerosal is degraded or metabolized, one product is ethyl mercury, another organic derivative of mercury. Not much is known about the effects of thimerosal exposure on humans and how this compares to methyl mercury exposure. The only known (admitted) side-effects of receiving low doses of thimerosal in vaccines have been minor reactions such as redness and swelling at the injection site.

In July 1999, U.S. Department of Health and Human Service agencies, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure and to reduce exposure to mercury from all sources. Today, all routinely recommended licensed pediatric vaccines currently being manufactured for the U.S. market are either thimerosal-free or contain markedly reduced amounts of thimerosal. However, thimerosal remains in some vaccines given to adults and adolescents, as well as some pediatric vaccines not on the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule. Thimerosal is a common preservative found in vaccines used outside the United States.

The decision to move toward reduced or eliminated thimerosal in vaccines was based on the various Federal guidelines for methyl mercury exposure and the assumption that the health risks from methyl and ethyl mercury were the same. Methyl mercury exposure is primarily through fish consumption. People who regularly eat mercury-contaminated fish can accumulate methyl mercury in their body over time. Some of this methyl mercury may be passed from the mother to the fetus before birth and to infants through breast milk. The fetus is sensitive to damage by this exposure.

Prior to the removal of thimerosal from childhood recommended vaccines, infants were exposed to ethyl mercury by intramuscular injection during vaccination, not by ingestion. Furthermore, infants received thimerosal from childhood vaccines that were administered days or months apart. In contrast, methyl mercury exposure, primarily from foods, tends to occur over a longer sustained period of time. More research is needed to determine if the guidelines for methyl mercury exposure are also appropriate guidelines for thimerosal. Additionally, guidelines for maximal levels for short-term exposure need to be established.

Many scientists with and without ties to the industry along with many pediatricians believe that thimerosal (a form of mercury) is a factor in autism - or at best say we don't know.

[trotsky]

15. Gee, mzmolly, I thought you dismissed everything the government put out.

You did selectively quote from that page, though.

Another section:

ASSESSMENT OF MERCURY LEVELS IN INFANTS RECEIVING ROUTINE IMMUNIZATIONS

NIAID- supported studies at the University of Rochester and National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, assessed levels of mercury in the blood, hair, urine, and stool of 40 infants who received vaccines containing thimerosal and 20 infants who received vaccines without thimerosal, as controls. The infants studied were 6 months of age or younger. This study generated several important results.

* Mercury levels in blood and urine were low in all infants studied and in many cases too small to measure. There was no observed dose-dependent relationship between the level of thimerosal received through vaccination and the level of mercury in the body.
* Mercury levels in blood did not exceed, at any time, the blood levels that correspond to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for exposure.
* Mercury levels in the stool of infants receiving vaccines containing thimerosal were relatively high compared to mercury levels in the stool of infants who were not exposed to thimerosal, providing evidence that mercury from thimerosal is eliminated in the stool of infants.


I understand all too well your crusade against anyone whose opinion differs from yours on the subject of vaccines. But people deserve to hear ALL the scientific information, not just the cherry-picked stuff you like to quote.

Please finish with your precious last word, claiming how wrong I am for trusting the government, public health organizations, and every scientist who disagrees with you, because they obviously MUST be on the payroll of a vaccine manufacturer.

[mzmolly]

16. Just because thimerosal is eliminated in the stool, does not mean it's

harmless.

Trotsky, I believe in critical thinking - nothing more, nothing less. What I see all to often from the CDC and other sources is propaganda. I have seen similar propaganda on the part of those concerned about vaccination as well, which is why I consider various sources for information.

You completely dismissed her concerns, I provided an answer to the question she asked.

Cheerio.

[Ravenseye]

2. Hmm that's surprising

I thought most of the shots these days (there are a couple of exceptions) are thimerasol free. I'm not sure which one is the one with it. MMR maybe? Anyway most shouldn't have it anyway.

Two things though, firstly as the other poster noted there hasn't been a scientific connection made between thimersol and autism. It's more likely environmental mercury which is a much more provable candidate. ethyl and methyl mercury are different. Anyway, even if it did, your child is safter with the shot than without.

Second though it just surprises me that they're so low. Every shot for my daughter so far has been thimerosol free...

Which shot was it? I know there is one that has a very very very short shelf life and is dangerous to give after that point. That's probably the one your doctor is saying that about.

[trotsky]

5. Vaccines made in individual doses are generally thimerosal-free.

A vaccine in that situation can't be contaminated before being dispensed, so it doesn't need the same level of preservatives.

Multi-dose vaccines generally contain it nowadays, like the flu vaccine. Since the clinics or medical professional split up the doses, thimerosal is used as a highly effective deterrent to contamination.

[mzmolly]

9. There are other "known safe" deterrents to contamination.

eom

[mzmolly]

10. Your doc should be able to order one. Here is some information

Is influenza vaccine that does not contain thimerosal as a preservative available this flu season (2005-2006)?

For the 2005-06 flu season, a limited amount of influenza vaccine that does not contain thimerosal as a preservative is available. Sanofi pasteur estimates that they will produce 6-8 million doses of thimerosal-free vaccine this year. GlaxoSmithKline projects that they will produce 8 million doses of preservative-free vaccine for use in people 18 years of age and over. A minimal number of preservative-free vaccine may be available from Chiron late in the influenza season. Also, the nasal-spray influenza vaccine (sold commercially as FluMist®) does not contain any thimerosal and can be given to healthy people 5 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Best wishes in your search.

[abelenkpe]

11. Excellent information, Thank You! nt

[mzmolly]

12. Your welcome.

Good luck with your doc. :hi:

[abelenkpe]

13. Well, I found one

Sweet success! Now my little guy will protected from the flu without thimerisol. Whew! I do believe that vaccines are important. I just continue to hope that pharmaceutical companies will respond to consumers concerns and manufacture more thimerisol free shots. For the overly worried like myself :)

[mzmolly]

14. I'm glad you are thoughtful in your decisions about your child.

Your a wise parent to consider the possibilities and alternatives.

I too think that vaccine makers should strive for safety/bio-compatibility. Consumers ARE the driving force behind SAFER products. And we consumers should not be ashamed to demand "drugs" (especially those that are mandated for Americas children) free of potentially harmful ingredients.