Autism is Linked to Child's Vaccines

On April 3, 2002 a class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on behalf of three groups against the manufacturer of Thimerosal, a preservative containing mercury, and against the vaccine manufacturers that use or used Thimerosal in the manufacture and/or distribution of childhood vaccines.

Thimerosal is a preservative that was used in childhood vaccines that is approximately 50 percent mercury by weight. Mercury is one of the most toxic elements on earth and its exposure by humans has been linked to neurological, motor, sensory and autoimmune disorders, as well as behavioral dysfunction. Before the FDA recommended that Thimerosal be removed from all vaccines, American children had received 237 micrograms of mercury through vaccines alone by age two. This far exceeds current EPA ‘safe’ levels for mercury which are (one tenth) 0.1 mcg/kg. per day. On the date of birth children received 12 mcg's of mercury from the Thimerosal content in the hepatitis B vaccine which is over 30 times the safe level. The DTaP and HiB vaccines contained over 50 mcg of mercury, which is 60 times greater than the safe level. At six months the second Hep B and Polio vaccines are given, containing 62.5 mcg of mercury which is 78 times greater than safe level.

The class action is seeking compensation for three groups of plaintiffs. Plaintiffs and Plaintiff Class defined as Sub-Class One have been diagnosed with autism or neurological disorders, as well as other severe and permanent health consequences claimed to be the result of exposure to high levels of mercury contained in Thimerosal; Plaintiffs and the Plaintiff Class defined in Subclass Two claim an increased risk of developing autism, other serious neurological disorders, or other severe and permanent health consequences as a result of exposure to high levels of mercury contained in Thimerosal; Plaintiffs and the Plaintiff Class are defined in Subclass Three have claims based upon the injuries to their children as well as claims for medical monitoring of their children who have not yet developed an injury, but who must be continuously monitored due to their exposure to the high levels of mercury contained in childhood vaccines.

Thimerosal is 50% mercury (Hg) by weight. A 0.01% solution (1 part per 10,000) of thimerosal contains 50 µg of Hg per 1 ml dose or 25 µg of Hg per 0.5 ml dose. Aventis Pasteur’s Tripedia may be used to reconstitute ActHib to form TriHIBit. TriHIBit is indicated for use in children 15 to 18 months of age.

OmniHIB is manufactured by Aventis Pasteur but distributed by GlaxoSmithKline. COMVAX is not licensed for use under 6 weeks of age because of decreased response to the Hib component.

Merck’s Hepatitis B vaccine for adults still contains thimerosal as a preservative. Children under 3 years of age receive a half-dose of vaccine, i.e., 0.25 mL (12.5 µg mercury/dose.)

JE-VAX is manufactured by BIKEN and distributed by Aventis Pasteur. Children 1 to 3 years of age receive a half-dose of vaccine, i.e., 0.5 mL (17.5 µg mercury/dose).

>>Gee, first they said MMR caused autism, and now it's mercury. I wish they'd make up their minds. >> Autism is a spectrum afflication. Each individuals symptoms are unique.

Though science has found some evidence that genetics may be involved (multiple genes acting together) genetics alone do not explain the current rate of autism an environmental factors have been theorized as the source of these genes being switched on (or off).

The MMR is thought to be a viral load (because if you look around in similar threads) you will see they are finding measles virus in the intestines of kids (and that is NOT supposed to happen). Mercury directly effects the development of the myelin sheath in actively growing brain cells (see http://commons.ucalgary.ca/mercury/) it also inhibits the intestines ability to form a protective lining which leads to food passing into the child's body before it is properly broken down. This can result in the formation of neurotoxic substance which LIKELY effect developement and definitely effects bahvior. Gluten (from wheat) and Casien (from dairy products) turn to morhpine like compounds when the intestines are comprimised. (When we removed gluten and casien from my son's diet he improved)

Remember the GOV and IOM are recommending these shots being given to kids BEFORE their bosies and minds are completely developed (after age 2 see video link above)

My son was damaged by his shots.

I think he was damaged because he had been sick and on antibiotics when receiving the shots. It impaired his bodies ability to cleanse out the mercury load he received. Thats why some get it and some dont. It could also be his system was stressed from the MMR viral load as well.

I actually questioned the MD if we should vaccinate him while coming off antibiotics and she said "he'd be fine".

He passed out for 20 hours (which wasnt him) and when he came to he started the downward spiral. He would not respond to us nor make eye contact. He was speaking and walking fine but after this his speech and walking deteriotated. I kept calling the MD and going back saying something was wrong. She said since he didnt have seizures or resiptory problems it was "likely and ear infection", apparently this is all MD's are trained to observe or recognize as "vaccine damage".

It wasnt till 4 months later when I finally convinced her something was wrong and it wasnt ear infections. Took another 4 months to get into a specialist who told us we were probably dealing with autism 2 minutes after walking in her office. After filling out paper work someone called us from the hospital who was reviewing our paperwork and said they noted we mentioned we thought this occured because of the shots. They simply said "look up thimerosal and MMR on the internet and get a copy of your sons vaccination records" then hung up.

I have sinced learned the the CDC commissioned study released in Oct 2001 had altered data sets after a copy of the initial study released for review in April 2001 within the CDC reported a 2.5 times more likelihood of receiving neurological damage when receiving the full course of shots by 6 months (mercury accumulates). In the October 2001 released study the result was "inconclusive" but sated "it was biolgically plausible" mercury could cause damage.

Apparently the Dr doing the study changed the data set to NOT show the increased likelihood of neurological damage. The Dr who did the study left the CDC, was hired by Glaxo (a defendent in mercury lawsuits) and moved out of the country. Hmmm. Rep Dan Burton is trying to get the original data set for independent review but the CDC wont release the data - they say it will comprimise privacy and have even thrown the bioterrorism trummp card at him. I do hope he subpeonas for that info. If what they reported is "correct" then why are they worried about anyone reviewing it? I thought that was part of science. Obviously pharm companies have GREAT influence in congress and media so they try to bury the issue.

Even though I was not antivaccination I am beginning to wonder. As I have researched MEDICAL information I can not find any information on the SAFETY of vaccinations. ONe can find PLENTY on the efficancy but not safety.

I am the grandmother of an autistic child whose symptoms develped shortly after the MMR vaccine. No one can say whether the vaccine caused this beautiful child to regress, or not. But you all should realize that no one is advocating eliminating the vaccines. All parents have asked is that the MMR vaccine be split into its 3 parts and given on a staggered basis and that the Thimserol additive be eliminated. (Meaning that vaccines would have to be used when fresh.)

I can report that my daughter no longer receives any flack from her doctor over this (New Jersey), nor does her sister in Virginia. Their children are vaccinated on a delayed basis with separate vaccines -- no questions asked any more.

Although I am not belittling deafness as a disability -- it can be more easily "fixed" than autism. However, I don't think that separating and delaying the vaccines will lead to more deafness in the population. It isn't even a reasonable argument.

As I have researched MEDICAL information I can not find any information on the SAFETY of vaccinations. ONe can find PLENTY on the efficancy but not safety.

Here's a snippet from the Burton committee hearings on autism in April 2001, that goes to this lack of research on vaccine safety: The congressman is Mr. Weldon from Florida (a doctor) interviewing a panel of doctors:

Mr. WELDON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question for Dr. Bradstreet. You have been doing a lot of research—and really any of you can comment on this—and you have talked to a lot of researchers. Have you encountered any lack of willingness or intimidation to research in areas that might suggest that there are problems with vaccines in terms of its impact on the careers of researchers or their ability to get funding in the future? Have you encountered any comments to that effect?

Dr. BRADSTREET. Yes. Actually, we work with researchers at several major university medical schools around the country. Many of them or their department chairmen have related back to us that there is significant fear and apprehension about doing a study that looks into vaccine safety for fear of being blacklisted by the pharmaceutical industry for future funding of research. Many pediatric departments or infectious disease or immunology departments around the country at medical schools are completely dependent for a vast majority of their research budget and operating expenses on granting from the vaccine manufacturing companies. Many of those vaccine manufacturers make a host of different drugs. If you look then at the potential liability issue—determining for example that thimerosal may be harmful to children—what that means from a liability perspective, a beginning of life neurologically damaged child that has a life expectancy similar to yours or mine, 70 or 80 years of care—that is cataclysmic. So they will go a long way to potentially suppress research along these lines. It is something that needs to be addressed and there need to be independent sources of funding completely apart from the drug companies.

Mr. WELDON. Have any of the other witnesses encountered comments to that effect? Or would you rather not comment on this issue?

Dr. SEGAL. I would rather not comment on that issue. I would say, without getting into detail, the answer is yes. We have encountered that difficulty. But as we are trying to make inroads in terms of additional research projects, I feel any comment I could make would be fragile.

Dr. HUMISTON. At the University of Rochester, because my developmental pediatrician is one of the researchers for the centers of excellence, I am aware of what they do. They are getting funding to look at vaccine safety issues.

The reason that I posted my comments was that I think we may have forgotten the original reasons that these vaccination programs were adopted. Deafness is one of the mildest symptoms of Congenital Rubella Syndrome (which I didn't realize). CRS can lead to profound retardation as well as stillbirth (the first link of the two in my previous post describes what can happen). While I think it is important to determine if the increasing incidence of autism is related to vaccination or the mercury preservatives in vaccines, it is also important to remember that the vaccines have substantially reduced or virtually eliminated the risk of many diseases that were literally feared 30-40 years ago. (And it amazes me that we are not very far removed from those times.)

Dear sir,

There is NO exponential increase in autistic disorder. While there has been a rise in the incidence of autism, it is not related to MMR or any other vaccine. I've already posted repeated messages on this issue.

Most importantly, there is NO mercury in ANY of the vaccines in the US at this point. Thimerosal was removed as a preservative over the past 18 months and this is partly reponsible for the problems with vaccine supply and distribution.

The chiropractor posting these messages should be banned from this board. He is a democrat from Massachusetts and is CLEARLY attempting to interfere with the political purposes of this board.

Lastly, any review of the dozens of papers regarding vaccines and autism published in the last two years supports this opinion.

There is NO exponential increase in autistic disorder. While there has been a rise in the incidence of autism,

I'm not sure I understand what you mean here. Are you saying that there has been a rise in the incidence of autism but that it's not exponential? The school districts sure act like the growth in Autism has been exponential.

it is not related to MMR or any other vaccine. I've already posted repeated messages on this issue.

I stated in post that agree with you and Tom on this point. Others disagree with me. Knowing what I know now, I can see that my son had Autistic behaviors before his MMR vaccination. This is why I encourage parents to get their children vaccinated but to do so only somewhat later than the current schedule.

Right. NOW there's no mercury in any of the vaccines in the US. As you note, that wasn't always the case. Thimerosal was removed as a preservative as a precautionary measure in case some scientific evidence (or junk science like the breast implants) caused the lawyers to come out of the woodwork to sue Merck out of existance.

The chiropractor posting these messages should be banned from this board. He is a democrat from Massachusetts and is CLEARLY attempting to interfere with the political purposes of this board.

That's a rather unkind assessment of a fellow FReeper who's been around here longer than you. Well, not by much. This board is about freedom. Government schools (and by inference government) demanding that kids be vaccinated is a worthy topic. And before you try to put words in my mouth:

ALL KIDS SHOULD BE VACCINATED.

There is NO exponential increase in autistic disorder. -- from bonesmccoy

Oral Statement of Dr. Walter Spitzer, Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology - McGill Univ., at the Burton committee hearings in April, 2001:

Speaking as an epidemiologist, there is an epidemic. It is not refutable on the evidence that is there. I am saying it, even though the great majority—except for one or two studies—they are all prevalence studies. A prevalence study is inexpensive and that is why one leans in that direction with the meek resources that are given for this kind of research. You need incidence to clearly demonstrate or refute an epidemic.

And the one peer-reviewed published study that did incidence—which is a case study out of the Boston Collaborative Surveillance Unit at Boston University, based on the British data base—it is an incidence study and it shows an epidemic. It is a seven-fold increase.

In California, you reported yourself, Mr. Chairman, that there are 700 new cases—which is incidence—in the past 3 months. Compared to the same seasonally adjusted period of 3 months 7 years ago, that is a 404 percent increase. That is an epidemic.

In Ireland, just the day before yesterday, there is a three-fold in-crease in prevalence done in the last few months. And in Cambridge University, a study showed a 10-fold increase in prevalence. These are numbers that are not the basis upon which you question an epidemic. We have an epidemic of autism and I assert that, as an epidemiologist, with confidence.

[Emphasis mine]

Actually the vaccine that you suggest would not be appropriate for my daughter.

From an earlier post....

"COMVAX is not licensed for use under 6 weeks of age because of decreased response to the Hib component.

Merck’s Hepatitis B vaccine for adults still contains thimerosal as a preservative. Children under 3 years of age receive a half-dose of vaccine, i.e., 0.25 mL (12.5 µg mercury/dose.)"

The COMVAX is not recommended for newborns and the Merck vaccine, (which by the way we have a financial interest) contains thimerosal.

And yes I understand the Hep B can be transmitted by methods other than sexual behavior or intravenous drug use. I'm sure this will come as a shock to you, but not all children are stuffed into daycare or stuck in production line public schools. Some people believe in raising their own children and spending the time and resources to educate their children themselves.

And no, to defuse your next arguement, we are not going to isolate our child. We will also know who she's with and what she is doing.

Personally I don't know what your crusade about vaccines is for. Whether or not I vaccinate my daughter for Hep B is no concern of yours.

Scotty, please beam Bones back into George Orwell's 1984.

Semper Fi

Actually I think you're on to something in the correlation of the vaccine (or the preservative to be more precise) and genetic issues. In fact, it may even relate to certain nerve/brain diseases a parent might have had that was passed on that later had a negative reaction to the injection.

What is really bothering me about this blame game is that things are purposely being confused. If you will notice in many of these posts, both MMR and thimerosal are being used interchangably as a cause of autism.

But it won't work. The anecdotal evidence uses the introduction of MMR in the US to correspond to the alleged jump in autism cases. But now we are told thimerosal is to blame, but since it has been around much longer than MMR, the people making these allegations are forced to explain why we only see autism cases jump in the 80s.

Essentially it seems to me that they are just throwing a bunch of allegations up against the wall to see what sticks, much like breast implants.

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