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Researcher: Vaccine preservative doesn't cause autism

Tuesday, November 6, 2001

Thimerosal, a vaccine preservative some parents worry is linked to autism, has been virtually eliminated from childhood vaccines. That despite a lack of evidence to show a direct link between thimerosal and any illness, said Dr. Gary Freed, head of general pediatrics at the University of Michigan and a nationally recognized authority on vaccine safety.

"Vaccines have always been safe," Freed said. "Any concerns about vaccine safety, however, are taken very seriously by the manufacturers and the government. “Parents are concerned about their children, and that's wonderful. But they need to remember that these vaccines prevent serious illnesses."

Worries about a link between thimerosal, which contains a trace of mercury, surfaced over recent years with an apparent increase in the incidence of autism. Autism often appears about the same time children are undergoing the series of immunizations prior to starting school.

Thimerosal has been used as a vaccine preservative since before World War II, Freed said. The incidence of autism appears to be rising over the past decade, although Freed said it's not clear whether the apparent rise is simply a better recognition of the condition or a real increase.

Last year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health asked the Institute of Medicine to establish an independent, expert committee to review immunization-safety concerns. The first report on measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and autism was issued in April. In October the institute released its second report on thimerosal and neurodevelopmental problems, noting two major conclusions:l The evidence is inadequate to accept or reject a cause-and-effect relationship between exposure to thimerosal from vaccines and the neurodevelopmental disorders of autism, attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and speech or language delay.

·  The hypothesis that exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines could be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders it is based on indirect and incomplete information.

Hepatitis B, Hib and DTaP vaccines formerly contained thimerosal. MMR, polio, varicella and pneumococcal vaccines have never contained thimerosal. As of October, the vast majority of the supplies of DTaP, Hib and hep B vaccines are without thimerosal or hold only trace amounts.

Enter the lawsuit

Thimerosal may be gone from vaccines, but the issue is hardly settled.

A coalition of law firms went to court across the nation early last month to try to force the pharmaceutical industry to study whether trace amounts of mercury in vaccines cause autism and other brain damage. The lawsuits were filed as class actions and led by an Oregon woman who says her 3-year-old son became autistic after getting vaccinations containing mercury in thimerosal, according to The Associated Press.

A law firm representing the woman formed a coalition of more than 35 law firms across the country representing families in at least 25 states, said the AP. Damages could be sought if a link is established.

Freed said thimerosal has been used as a preservative for so long that most Americans have been exposed to it. He noted that while parents should be tuned to things that could harm their children, they need to keep in mind the difference between an association and cause and effect.

"Striking a match is associated with lung cancer since a match can be used to light a cigarette," he said. "The reality is that it's not the match that causes lung cancer. It's the cigarette. Vaccines are like that match and lung cancer.

"Every childhood condition such as autism existed before there were vaccines. If a parent decides not to vaccinate a child for fear of a reaction, they are doing more harm than good."There is no data showing that vaccines and autism are linked. There is very good data to show that vaccines prevent very serious diseases."

This opinion column was written by Gazette staff writer Bill Krasean, who can be reached at 388-8577 or  [email protected].

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.