WHO Probes Health Effects of Vaccines Containing Mercury

LONDON (Reuters Health) Jun 18 - The World Health Organisation has launched an investigation into a possible link between vaccines that contain mercury and a rise in the incidence of autism among children in Britain, the UK's Sunday Times reported.

The newspaper said the research will be led by Dr. Elizabeth Miller, head of the immunisation division of the UK's Public Health Laboratory Service. The project aims to analyse records of 500 general practices to check for a link between the use of vaccines that contain the preservative thiomersal (also known as thimerosal) — which is almost 50% mercury — and a range of neuro-developmental disorders, including autism.

Vaccines containing mercury include DTP and some licensed brands of Hib, the report said.

Dr. John Clements, of the WHO's immunisation programme, is quoted as saying: "We have permitted the use of thiomersal in vaccines for many years as an essential preservative in multi-dose vials. The study is to see if there is any evidence of a negative effect."

The newspaper reported speculations that an accumulation of mercury may damage the brain, central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract and lower the functioning of children's immune systems so they cannot cope with the combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, possibly triggering autism.

It said that in 1999 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that the amount of mercury intake in vaccination in some babies in their first 6 months may have exceeded the limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

As a result, the FDA and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products said thiomersal is being phased out of vaccines.