Posted on 10/28/2005 8:06:19 AM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
Q: What is the mercury content of the flu shot vaccine this year?
A: There's better news this flu season for those concerned about mercury. Prior to 2001, childhood vaccines contained thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative used to inhibit germ growth in vaccines.
Mercury is neurotoxic at certain levels, and much concern has been expressed over a possible link between these mercury-containing childhood vaccines and autism and other childhood neurodevelopmental disorders.
Some kids may have an inborn vulnerability to mercury toxicity. More on this in a future column.
For now, we confine our mercury discussion to the flu shot vaccine.
Last year, Chiron, one of two suppliers of the flu vaccine, was unexpectedly shut down due to manufacturing problems, leading to last season's shortage.
Q: This season Chiron is back, and there are now three companies supplying flu vaccine.
In a column last year, I pointed out that the missing Chiron vaccine (Fluvirin) was the only one that provided an adult dose with just a trace amount of mercury (1 mcg).
The adult dose of the remaining vaccine (Fluzone) had the higher, standard amount of mercury (25 mcg).
I made this point because the adult dose is given not only to adults, but also to children 3 years and older.
(The mercury-free pediatric dose is administered to those 6-35 months old via prefilled single-use syringe; this syringe has a pink plunger rod.)
Someone got the message. This season, all three suppliers provide the adult dose in a prefilled single-use syringe that is either mercury-free (Fluzone) or contains only a trace amount of mercury (Fluvirin, Fluarix).
Fluzone and Fluvirin also come in the traditional multi-dose vial that contains 25 mcg of mercury per adult dose, the standard amount.
Each product's adult dose has a different age range:
_Fluzone: Adults and children 3 years and older.
_Fluvirin: Adults and children 4 years and older.
_Fluarix: Those ages 18 years and older.
Now, unlike last season, a trace or no-mercury option is available for pregnant women and others, including children, who get the adult dose.
However, some flu shot providers may not offer the adult-dose prefilled syringes.
With my sleeve rolled up for a flu shot at my county health department, I requested the no-mercury prefilled syringe. Turned out, only the mercury-containing multi-dose vial was available. In this case, each adult dose is drawn into a syringe for administration. The standard mercury content (25 mcg) wasn't a real concern to me, so I took the needle stick without blinking.
I relate my experience to emphasize that a single shot with this amount of mercury is generally considered safe. For most people, flu-related health dangers pose a far greater risk than any possible vaccine-related risks.
Still, some parents of children 3 years and older (who get the adult dose) might prefer that their kids be given the trace or no-mercury adult dose from the prefilled syringe. Pregnant women might also prefer this option. More on other important flu-related matters next week.
___
Richard Harkness is a consultant pharmacist, natural medicines specialist, and author of eight published books. Write him at 1224 King Henry Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564; or rharkn(AT)aol.com. Selected questions will be used in the column. ___
(c) 2005, The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.) Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
People may debate the issue, but better safe than sorry. Since they can produce it without timeresol, my flu shot was mercury free.
Did you have trouble finding a mercury-free flu shot?
Another good reason not to listen to Imus so that you don't have to hear him rant and whine about this issue.
WAFM
*Ping
Do they give out the same warnings for seafood?
*Ping
I didnt even have to look. It was pure chance. It was the first place I saw that offered flu shots this year. I was at a local health food store and they advertised mercury free shots. I went back and got one.
*Ping
*Ping
*Ping
So...perhaps one would think southeast asians have more occurrences of Altzheimer's disease then?
Or is that obtuse?
Thimerosol is safe in concentrations used and one of the best bactericides out there.
Shame they took it off the market.
C'mon chicken Littles!
Wonder how many people died because they couldn't have the thimerosol "contaminated" shot last year.
The tyranny of the majority!
Hrm. I don't know whether to blame my future senility, then, on alcohol abuse or my addiction to sushi. :)
:)
I blame my present senility on exposure to toxic levels of liberals over a lifetime.
Probably none. I remember the press saying thousands would die at Bush's feet.
Usually some die owing to complications from influenza every year---no matter how mild the flu season.
I wouldn't be surprised if procurement of vaccinations for some kept them from getting the shots and that out of that group a very few died.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.