Posted on 12/06/2005 2:25:40 PM PST by cope85
Vaccine additive banned in Iowa
By Rachelle Treiber Just as Iowa records the season’s first official case of influenza, pediatricians are reminding parents that children younger than 2 years face nearly the same risks associated with the illness as adults older than 65.
But while some parents are leery of the pediatric flu vaccination — which can contain preservatives such as thimerosal, a mercury-based compound added to some vaccines — Iowans can rest easy.
Earlier this year, the state became the first in the nation to ban the use of preservatives in childhood vaccines.
In 1999, when it was discovered that immunized children had accidentally been exposed to mercury levels well over federal limits, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for thimerosal to be removed from vaccines as a precaution.
It was eliminated from nearly all vaccines except the one used for the flu.
Since the Iowa ban went in place during January, California has followed suit and more than 30 other states have similar bans under consideration. Illinois is among them.
In August, Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved the Mercury-Free Vaccine Act. As of next year, the percentage of mercury used in vaccines will be limited. As of 2008, no Illinois resident will be vaccinated with a product containing mercury.
“This was not an issue that we pushed. It was legislator-backed,” said Kevin Teale, communications director for the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Former Iowa Sen. Ken Veenstra, R-Orange City, oversaw an investigation that led to the ban.
Veenstra, who was chairman of the Senate Human Resources Committee, said at the time that he combed through all of the available scientific and biological data before backing the prohibition.
“After three years of review, I became convinced there was sufficient credible research to show a link between mercury and the increased incidences in autism,” he said. “Iowa’s 700 percent increase in autism that began in the 1990s, right after more and more vaccines were added to the children’s vaccine schedules, is solid evidence alone.”
Many parents and medical experts agree, arguing that mercury exposure is at the core of a number of serious medical disorders, ranging from childhood autism to Alzheimer’s disease. Much of their anger is aimed at thimerosal.
Other experts disagree, however.
The American Dental Association flatly denies that mercury-based fillings pose any risk to patients, and the Autism Society of America says there is no known cause for autism, but that it most likely is genetic.
Either way, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommend that children 6 to 24 months of age be vaccinated against influenza.
They say that while mercury is a toxic substance known to be harmful to humans, especially pregnant women, infants and children, the vaccines on the market yield what is considered well below the acceptable level of mercury.
Public health experts say the decision to vaccinate your child against influenza should be taken very seriously.
“It is most dangerous for the little ones, those under 6 months, and since they cannot be vaccinated, we need to vaccinate those around them who could pass it to them,” said Roma Taylor, a registered nurse and clinical services coordinator for the Scott County Health Department.
Taylor said the department administers flu shots to youngsters through its Vaccine for Children program, which is available to those who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured or American Indian.
And those parents have not questioned whether their child’s vaccine contains thimerosal.
“We do have it available preservative-free, but no parents have specifically asked for it,” Taylor said. “We really haven’t had anyone question if the vaccinations had thimerosal or any other preservatives in them.”
Health experts said that until a ban is passed in Illinois, parents can request a preservative-free flu shot for their child, but the request must be made before the vaccine supply is ordered, which can be done as early as May.
They lying through their teeth.
Yeah, and the incidences of autism over the past five years are down dramatically, but of course there is no connection................
It should be interesting to see what comes of this. It is widely believed that mercury is vaccine is the cause of the increase in autism. However study after study has proven this to be untrue. We may be able to see of the studies are correct or not. If autism rates continue to climb in states were it's use is ban it will free up the medical community to look in new directions
Are you a dentist?
A friend of mine has a theory that to many vaccines are given to infants at one time. She thinks it would be better to spread the immunizations out. It is a thought but it makes some sense too me.
"a mercury-based compound added to some vaccines"
I heard they're replacing them with arsenic-based vaccines. Don't worry, they're safe.
/end sarcasm
Now, if they'll just get it out of our dog vaccines, too.
Purdue just did a study on vaccinated vs unvaccinated Great Danes and found that even the ocassionaly-vaccianted had developed antibodies to the egg/chicken protein... most vaccines are grown on eggs. So not only do they have antibodies against the virus they were vaccinated against, but also the protein the virus was grown on... you feed that protein and the body mounts a rejection to it and then we wonder why so many allergies these days.
This very interesting information....Do you know a source for the study? I would love to forward this information to her...thank you
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/CoverLetter-PurdueUniversityGreatDaneHealthandVaccineStudy-new.pdf
www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/gdhstudy.htm If your friend is interested in this subject there is rheams of new information on the web..... I have now gone to homeopathic flu vaccinations for myself and my husband and no or few vaccinations for myu dogs.
Does this fall in the numbers of autistic children coincide with reduced use of thimerisol? It was my understanding that they had been reducing the amount but there still was vaccine in the pipeline that was being used.
Thank you
I've been looking for a flu shot without mercury, but I haven't seen it around here.
I've heard the opposite, that it's actually on the rise. Can you post your info for the decline of Autism.
I do the homeopathic, you take a dose once a week for 4 weeks. It is formulated for each year's flu, just like the vaccine. Since I quit having flu 'shots' knock on wood -- no flu.
Things I've seen indicate it's on the rise in states like California -- which makes me wonder if it's because doctors there are relentless in making certain babies and young children are vaccinated. I work for a doctor and you can count the days until a young child is back in with a cold, fever, etc., after a round of vaccinations.
I'll track down the information. About two months ago I was listening to KNX newsradio out here in Los Angeles and they had the news release on the declining autism numbers, coupled with a denial statement by the medical/vaccine industry officials that the changes in the vaccines were in any way related.
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