Press Release:                                          Contact: Mark Corallo/ Josie Duckett
October 3, 2001                                           (202) 225-5074

Chairman Burton Requests Recall
Of Childhood Vaccines with Thimerosal

Washington D.C. - Chairman Dan Burton (R-IN) today renewed his request to the Department of Health and Human Services to recall all childhood immunizations containing a mercury-based preservative known as Thimerosal.  Burton made his request a day after the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a report concluding that there is not enough evidence to prove or disprove the theory that mercury-containing vaccines cause neurological conditions such as learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, or autism.  Calling the theory "biologically plausible," the IOM urged that vaccines and other products containing mercury not be given to infants, children or pregnant women when alternatives are available.
"If there is even the slightest chance that a vaccine with mercury could contribute to Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, Alzheimer's Disease, or any other neurological condition, then we should act quickly to stop all potential exposure to Thimerosal," Burton said.
"We cannot in good conscience leave Thimerosal-containing vaccines on the shelf until used up, potentially exposing children to chemicals that may lead to neuro-developmental disorders.  Mercury is toxic to the human body.  I will be sending a letter this week to Secretary Thompson asking that these products be recalled.  In the meantime, I am asking every doctor, every health clinic, and every facility that provides childhood immunizations to check your vaccine supplies and return all Thimerosal-containing vaccines and request Thimerosal-free vaccines." 
In 1996 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acted to suspend the use of over-the-counter (OTC) mercurial topical ointments, including those that contained Thimerosal, because they were deemed unsafe.  In 1998, the FDA asked vaccine manufacturers to voluntarily phase-out Thimerosal from their products.  However, it is widely believed that many clinics around the country maintain stocks of vaccines containing Thimerosal that eventually will be used up.
In an April 2001 hearing, the Committee on Government Reform heard testimony from a number of physicians and scientists about the inherent risks of using mercury in childhood vaccines.  This followed a July 2000 hearing on the risks of mercury in medicine.  One Canadian study showed dramatic toxic effects on brain cells exposed to mercury.  An FDA review conducted in 1998 determined that, at the time, children who received the full complement of childhood vaccines were potentially exposed to levels of mercury that were sometimes 30 to 50 times the acceptable levels established by the EPA. 
Burton first called for the removal of Thimerosal-containing vaccines from the market in October 2000.

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.