Protecting your children

I continue to get e-mails regarding the use of the mercury-rich preservative thimerosal in vaccines for children (“Protection Money” 12/2/02). An HSI member named John sent this important question:

“Is there any way that a parent can determine whether or not the shot ABOUT to be given to one’s child is from the old inventory with the high mercury content or is from a newer zero mercury batch?”

Last year, under pressure from the Centers for Disease Control, the Public Health Service, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, pharmaceutical companies agreed to stop manufacturing vaccines that contain thimerosal. But while this mercury-based preservative is no longer in production, stores of vaccines that contain it are still being used. So how can a parent be sure that a vaccine doesn’t contain thimerosal? Just ask.

It may feel a bit uncomfortable to open the subject, but it’s certainly within your rights. And any doctor worth his salt will respect your concern – especially when the long-term health of your child is at stake. Plus that, the answer should be easy to come by. Just like any medication that you might buy at your local pharmacy, a vaccine in your pediatrician’s office will have a list of contents included in the packaging.

But hopefully your pediatrician is conscientious enough to have already taken steps to discontinue the use of vaccines containing thimerosal. Nevertheless – be safe, and ask. And, if necessary, demand.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute