More Good News About Vaccines

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More Good News About Vaccines - in Pampers Newsletter

The News: A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health
examined the safety of children's vaccines containing thimerosal, a
mercury-based preservative. Thimerosal is no longer used in vaccines
in the United States given to children younger than 6 months.

Researchers at the University of Rochester in New York examined
blood, stool, and urine levels of mercury in infants given thimerosal-
containing vaccines and compared them with infants who had mercury-
free vaccines. Only one of the non-exposed children had detectable
levels of mercury. In children who had thimerosal-containing
vaccines, the scientists found levels of mercury ranging
from "undetectable" up to 10 times below the lower limit acceptable
by federal standards. In other words, the amounts were well below
those reported to cause problems.

The scientists also reported that the mercury left the body quickly,
in the first few days after vaccination, mostly through the stool.
(The Lancet, vol. 360 [Nov. 30, 2002]: pp. 1737-1741)

Comment by Loraine Stern, M.D.: Mark Twain said, "How easy it is to
make people believe a lie and how hard it is to undo that work
again." Vocal opponents of immunization have been claiming that
thimerosal in vaccines causes autism in children. Yet after more than
three years of thimerosal-free vaccines, there has not been any
decline in the number of diagnoses of autistic disorders, and study
after study refutes the connection between vaccines and autism.
Sadly, lawyers and others seem to hold onto their beliefs.

Vaccines are one of the medical miracles of our time, and the
enormous benefits they offer—protecting our children against
dangerous, even deadly diseases—far outweigh the risks. Talk to your
pediatrician if you have any questions about immunizations.

 

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.