The presence of thimerosal in vaccines is an issue for those aware of what it is. So, what is thimerosal? Some various definitions of thimerosal include:
Merriam-Webster's Definition: a crystalline mercurial antiseptic C9H9HgNaO2S used especially for its antifungal and bacteriostatic properties
MedicineNet.com's Definition: A mercury-containing preservative used in some vaccines and other products since the 1930's. No harmful effects were reported from thimerosal at doses used in vaccines, except for minor local reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site. There was specifically no evidence that thimerosal increases the risk of developing autism or any other behavior disorder. However, in 1999 it was agreed that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure. Today, all routinely recommended pediatric vaccines in the US contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts.
Stedman's Medical Dictionary 23rd Ed.: (NF) MERTHIOLATE sodium; thiomersalate; thimerosal; [ (o-carboxyphenyl)thio ]ethylmercury sodium salt; antiseptic.
One thing all of these definitions have in common is the fact that thimerosal contains mercury. So why is mercury harmful? Mercury is a toxic, heavy metal. It can easily accumulate within the body when inhaled, ingested or injected. It can cause eye irritation and DNA and chromosomal damage. The presence of mercury in the body disallows proper absorption of key nutrients needed to remain healthy, such as calcium, zinc, selenium, rubidium, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. The depletion of these nutrients can result in a compromised immune system and the development of psychiatric problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
Key facts:
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil.
Exposure to mercury – even small amounts – may cause serious health problems, and is a threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life.
Mercury may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.
Mercury is considered by WHO as one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern.
People are mainly exposed to methylmercury, an organic compound, when they eat fish and shellfish that contain the compound. Methylmercury is very different to ethylmercury. Ethylmercury is used as a preservative in some vaccines and does not pose a health risk.
Notice the last point noted under the WHO's definition: Ethylmercury does not pose a health risk. While it is true that ethylmercury is used in some vaccines under the name thimerosal, it is still considered harmful. Just not by the WHO. However, it is important to note that the WHO benefits from global vaccination. For example, the WHO recommends that everyone (including the elderly, adolescents and pregnant women) receive a yearly dose of the Influenza vaccine. Now, keep in mind that, according to WebMD, in a well-matched year the flue vaccine is still only 60-90% effective. In other words, even when the vaccine manufacturers do an adequate job at predicting which strain of the flu will be the most prevalent in the forthcoming year, that vaccine still will not protect everyone who receives the vaccine. Along with the WHO's recommendation that everyone receives an annual dose of arguably the most unnecessary preventative vaccine, lies the revelation of some of the organization's members to the production and monetary profit of the distribution of the influenza vaccine, as exposed by Deborah Cohen, features editor of BMJ, and Philip Carter, a journalist with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in London.
However, back to the topic of this post: thimerosal. Though mercury was removed from all vaccines, thimerosal, even in trace amounts exists in some of today's vaccines. The flu vaccine is where the greatest accumulation of thimerosal is generally found. There are different versions available of the flu vaccine and a thimerosal-free version is one of them. Certain vaccines recommended by the CDC for children contain thimerosal in trace amounts. These include one DTaP and one DTaP-Hib combination vaccine, according to the CDC. Trace amounts of thimerosal left in a vaccine still exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's limit of mercury. The EPA sets a limit of 2 parts per billion (ppb) for the amount of mercury that is allowed to be present in America's drinking water. Liquids that contain 200 ppb are classified by the EPA as hazardous waste. The amount of mercury present in vaccines where trace amounts of thimerosal remain is a whopping 600 ppb! That's 3x's the amount considered hazardous that the U.S. CDC, Vaccine Manufacturers, State and Local officials and the World Health Organization see as necessary for every human being, including still-developing fetuses within their mother's womb. You know what else is recommended for these individuals? The flue vaccine. Remember how some flu vaccines contain thimerosal in quantities greater than trace amounts? Well, in vaccines containing the full amount of thimerosal ranges from 25,000-50,000 ppb! The mercury from thimerosal-containing vaccines is found to accumulate within the vaccine recipient's brain. In children, if vaccines are administered, it is best to avoid them when the child is teething as the blood-brain barrier is open when teething, making it even easier for toxic chemicals and elements to accumulate within the brain. If there is only one thing you ever do in regards to learning about vaccines, read the insert that comes with each vaccine before deciding whether or not it is right for you or your family. Also, the insert is not the one page of information handed to you by the nurse or doctor. It is the paper contained in the box the vaccine itself came in and contains the information that vaccine manufacturer is required to tell people. On this insert you will find its listed adverse side effects (common and dangerous), what the vaccine is and its ingredients (such as fetal tissue, bovine serum, aluminum, formaldehyde and thimerosal) and usually how it tested (or didn't) for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Doctors are required by law to provide their patients with this information before administering vaccinations. Unfortunately, many doctors do not do this and most patients are not aware that there is further valuable information available aside form their one sheet of information summarizing the typical 15+ pages of information on the actual vaccine insert.
+Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional. The opinions contained within this post are purely my own. The decisions you make for you and your family are between you and a trusted and licensed medical professional.
Resources:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thimerosal
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24201
http://eclectichealing.com/mercury.html
https://thescienceinformant.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/why-is-mercury-so-poisonous/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs361/en/
http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/use/en/
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20141204/this-years-flu-vaccine-less-effective-than-hoped#1
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/patient-ed/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-thimerosal-color-office.pdf
https://www.ip-watch.org/2007/11/21/who-kicks-off-talks-on-flu-pandemic-benefits-access-to-vaccines/
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SwineFlu/swine-flu-pandemic-world-health-organization-scientists-linked/story?id=10829940
Williams and Wilkins. Stedman's Medical Dictionary. Illustrated, 23rd Ed.
Tomljenovic L, Dorea JG, et al. Commentary: a link between mercury exposure, autism spectrum disorder, and other neurodevelopmental disorders? Implication for thimerosal-containing vaccines. Journal on Developmental Disabilities 2012; 18(1): 34-42.
Photo Reference: http://vaccineliberationarmy.com/category/mercurythimerosal/
