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January 03, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Call for Inquiry Into Use of Mercury in Vaccines"

Scotsman (www.scotsman.com) (01/03/03) P. 1; Nelson, Fraser

Scottish opposition parties want an inquiry into the use of mercury in vaccines and suggest looking at U.S. data on the issue rather than waiting for London to move.  They also say that Scottish ministers should be ready to ban mercury from vaccines.  A U.S. Institute of Medicine report states that scientific evidence does not prove or disprove a link between the mercury-containing thimerosal preservative and juvenile neurodevelopmental disorders.  Scottish National Parliament health spokeswoman Nicola Sturgeon wants pregnant women to be offered an alternative to the flu vaccines that contain thimerosal.  Four of the seven flu vaccines being made available by the National Health Service this year contain thimerosal, the Scotsman reported this week.

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