FRASER NELSON
A RARE collaboration between the Scottish National
Party, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats is paving the way for the
removal of mercury vaccines in Scotland.
Malcolm Chisholm, Scotland’s health minister, yesterday repeated the mistake made by US vaccine companies four years ago by saying that he is "phasing out" mercury vaccines while claiming they are safe.
The conflicting position should allow MSPs to demand the immediate withdrawal of the mercury-based preservative from vaccines unless Scottish ministers can prove why it should stay.
Margaret Smith, Liberal Democrat MSP and convener of the Scottish Parliament’s health committee, yesterday asked Mr Chisholm whether he would review why Scotland is buying the brand of DTP vaccine banned from the US amid fears of its links to autism.
She was backed up by Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish National Party’s health spokeswoman and Mary Scanlon, the Conservative’s health spokeswoman, who both demanded that Mr Chisholm defends himself.
Scots children are routinely given the DTwP vaccine, which gives protection against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). This DTwP jab, produce by Aventis Pasteur, is made cheaper by using thimerosal - a controversial preservative 50 per cent composed of ethyl mercury.
Mr Chisholm said that there is "no evidence" of thimerosal being linked to autism. But the Scottish Executive, he said, is phasing it out of use, and will soon be switching to the new DTP jabs which do not contain mercury.
The Scotsman has learnt that the new vaccines are already available on the NHS - although they are more expensive to the government, costing some £11 each. Parents are not being told about the choice, but will be given the new, mercury-free vaccine if they know to ask for it by name.
It is called Infanrix, and the Department of Health has confirmed that it is available on demand, to those who know that a choice exists.
Malcolm Chisholm, Scotland’s health minister, yesterday repeated the mistake made by US vaccine companies four years ago by saying that he is "phasing out" mercury vaccines while claiming they are safe.
The conflicting position should allow MSPs to demand the immediate withdrawal of the mercury-based preservative from vaccines unless Scottish ministers can prove why it should stay.
Margaret Smith, Liberal Democrat MSP and convener of the Scottish Parliament’s health committee, yesterday asked Mr Chisholm whether he would review why Scotland is buying the brand of DTP vaccine banned from the US amid fears of its links to autism.
She was backed up by Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish National Party’s health spokeswoman and Mary Scanlon, the Conservative’s health spokeswoman, who both demanded that Mr Chisholm defends himself.
Scots children are routinely given the DTwP vaccine, which gives protection against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). This DTwP jab, produce by Aventis Pasteur, is made cheaper by using thimerosal - a controversial preservative 50 per cent composed of ethyl mercury.
Mr Chisholm said that there is "no evidence" of thimerosal being linked to autism. But the Scottish Executive, he said, is phasing it out of use, and will soon be switching to the new DTP jabs which do not contain mercury.
The Scotsman has learnt that the new vaccines are already available on the NHS - although they are more expensive to the government, costing some £11 each. Parents are not being told about the choice, but will be given the new, mercury-free vaccine if they know to ask for it by name.
It is called Infanrix, and the Department of Health has confirmed that it is available on demand, to those who know that a choice exists.
